Mini solar grids empower women-led enterprises in Jharkhand’s Gumla district

(Eco Business, 26 Apr 2022) Several women from these villages have come forward to start small-scale machine-based rural enterprises that run on solar energy.

Birsuni Oraon is a tribal woman in her 50s, living in Guniya village in the Gumla district of Jharkhand. Until a few months ago, she would usually be occupied with either household chores or some farm-related work.

However, now, she operates a small scale business that runs on renewable energy. With a solar grid supporting the power supply in her village, Birsuni and nine other women from the village decided to set up a solar-run lac processing unit to produce edible oil.

She said that the extra income earned through this small-scale enterprise can now be put towards a better education for her children.

“A few months ago, I and nine other women from my village formed a self-help group (SHG). We set up a mustard processing machine that runs completely on solar energy. We work every day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to convert mustard cake into mustard oil. We are confident that this will change our lives,” said Birsuni, sitting next to the processing unit and showing the 30-kilowatt solar mini-grid installed close by. While the village is connected to the country’s centralised grid, the power supply is erratic and most energy-centric economic activities then rely on solar power.

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Eco Business, 26 Apr 2022: Mini solar grids empower women-led enterprises in Jharkhand’s Gumla district

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