At 47, economics graduate Reeja V of Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala has rewritten the narrative of entrepreneurship by building a thriving poultry and vegetable farm on just 10 cents of land. From facing community backlash to earning nearly Rs one lakh per month, she has shown the world that resilience, innovation, and determination can yield results.
Reeja’s journey began six years ago when she decided to raise a few hens, which she received under a Kudumbashree scheme, at her home in Pallickal in Thiruvananthapuram. Though she had no prior experience in farming, she learned the nuances of poultry farming. However, as her farm began to grow, so did the complaints from nearby residents about the unpleasant odour from the poultry shed. “People said it would never work in a residential area. There were days I almost gave up,” Reeja said.
But instead of shutting down, she chose to learn. Reeja immersed herself in research and workshops on waste management, seeking sustainable solutions to manage poultry waste efficiently. She eventually implemented a comprehensive waste disposal system using microbial composting methods, which not only eliminated the odour but also produced organic manure.
That manure, in turn, laid the foundation for her next venture—organic vegetable cultivation. Today, her small plot is lush with spinach, tomatoes, brinjal, and okra, all grown without chemical fertilizers.
Currently, Reeja’s poultry farm produces close to 1,000 eggs daily, which she supplies to anganwadis and local shops. Her dual-income model from poultry and vegetables now fetches her nearly ₹1 lakh every month.
“I never imagined this side hustle would grow into something this big,” she says with a smile. “Now, I’m confident enough to think about expanding to other plots,” she adds.
