Our next speaker, Usha, is a rural entrepreneur who turned a training opportunity into a thriving home-based enterprise. A member of SHG since 2016 and its current President, Usha started her dal and masala chakki in 2019 after attending a machinery training camp in Agra. She processes dal, makes besan, grinds and packs spices, and sells them locally, while also earning from the sale of buffalo milk. However, high electricity bills—often around ₹4,500 a month, and the heavy power requirements of her machines made running the enterprise challenging. Four months ago, Usha installed a 3 kW solar system, giving her a more reliable and efficient source of power. Today, she is a pro at her craft and, inspired by her own experience, actively encourages other rural entrepreneurs to adopt renewable energy for their enterprises.

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