From Dependence to Empowerment: Loritha’s Entrepreneurial Journey
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Gender Empowerment through IVCS.
Many rural women face significant barriers to employment and entrepreneurship, as domestic responsibilities and childcare often limit their opportunities for personal and professional growth. Despite these challenges, Loritha Momin, a resident of Chotcholja village in North Garo Hills, chose to break free from these constraints. Married at an early age, she nurtured a strong desire to achieve financial independence and contribute to her family’s income. Determined not to rely solely on her husband, she aspired to build something of her own.
In 2018, Loritha launched her entrepreneurial journey by establishing M/S Sengrim Food Products. Starting modestly, she produced banana plain chips priced at just ₹10 per packet. Carrying 50 packets daily to Christ King English School in Kharkutta, she introduced her homemade snacks to students and staff, gradually building a customer base.
Her enterprise gained new momentum after she joined the Banana Producer Group under Sengga IVCS in 2022. Through the Integrated Village Cooperative Society (IVCS), she accessed a loan of ₹5,000 and received specialized training in food processing. These resources enabled her to improve product quality, expand her business, and strengthen her competitiveness in the market.
With renewed confidence, Loritha diversified her offerings to include Banana Bujia, Spicy Banana Chips, Banana Kurkure, Jackfruit Bujia, Jackfruit Chips (regular and spicy), Banana Wine, and Pineapple Wine.
She actively showcased her products at exhibitions, gaining visibility, customer trust, and higher sales. These opportunities not only boosted her income but also allowed her to repay her IVCS loan on time— marking another milestone in her inspiring journey.
The IVCS initiative, launched under the Meghalaya Livelihood Access to Market Project (MLAMP) by the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA), has established numerous Producer Groups (PGs) across diverse sectors such as piggery, poultry, ginger, potato, and banana. These PGs primarily engage women and youth, offering them a minimum loan of ₹5,000 to start business activities. By fostering inclusion, leadership, and financial independence, IVCS transforms household producers into confident entrepreneurs.
Loritha’s story is a testament to the transformative power of IVCS: with determination, training, and support, women can unlock new opportunities, drive community development, and build sustainable livelihoods.
