Pune: Manisha Kaluram Shelar from Uruli Kanchan (Taluka Haveli) has become a source of inspiration for women farmers by successfully transforming her career from computer engineering to high-tech mulberry silk farming. Her venture, started in 2019, now generates an impressive annual profit of ₹25–28 lakhs.
Manisha began her journey by renting two acres of farmland near BAIF Road in Uruli Kanchan. To fund her business, she secured a loan from a cooperative credit society and underwent training at the RSETI Training Institute in Talegaon. Additionally, she gained valuable insights from experienced silk farmers.
High-Tech Silk Nursery Success
In her high-tech nursery, Manisha grows V1 variety mulberry saplings, renowned for their 100% survival rate. Her nursery employs eight women and two men, and her primary market for sapling sales is in Baramati. Beyond Maharashtra, her saplings are also supplied to Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
Manisha’s efforts are not just limited to business. She regularly visits farms to educate fellow farmers about silk farming techniques, offering guidance free of charge.
State-Level Recognition
Manisha’s pioneering work in mulberry silk farming earned her the State-Level Krishi Gaurav Award, presented by the Bhausaheb Mane Agricultural Foundation. The award ceremony was held on January 11 at the Agricultural College in Umarkhed, where she received a trophy, certificate, shawl, and coconut.
Focus on Quality and Farmer Support
While conducting workshops, Manisha noticed many farmers faced losses due to low-quality saplings that had poor survival rates. She addressed this issue by cultivating and supplying V1 variety mulberry saplings grown in bags, ensuring 100% survival.
In 2023, Manisha sold 85,000 saplings, earning widespread recognition in the silk farming industry. Her work has been supported by "Reshim Ratna" awardee Shivraj Dharmaraj Fate and Dr. Mahendra Dhawale from the Silk Directorate.
