Today, Shubhakala serves as the secretary of the Sitaram Women Farmers’ Group, formed under the JP RWEE. Just as returning to her studies transformed her personal life, she believes the knowledge and skills gained through the programme will have a lasting impact on the women in her village.
“People grow old, but knowledge never does,” she reflected.

Her village faces complex and compounding challenges. Nearly half of the men have migrated for work, leaving behind women, elderly people and children to manage farms and households. As a predominantly agricultural community, they also stand on the frontlines of the climate crisis. This past summer, the effects felt especially harsh—local drinking water sources dried up completely, forcing families, including Shubhakala’s, to purchase bottled water.

Even during the peak of the drought, Shubhakala continued tending to her vegetable plot, carrying water day and night to keep her plants alive. The effort, she said, was worth it—not only for the income, but for the fresh, nutritious food it provided.  

In these difficult circumstances, the JP RWEE has become a source of both practical support and renewed hope. The JP RWEE introduced climate-smart agricultural practices, including promotion of drought-resilient crop varieties, distribution of green manure seeds to improve soil moisture and fertility, and use of mulching techniques to reduce evaporation and conserve soil moisture in vegetable cultivation. 

Through the programme, Shubhakala and many group members have started earning income from vegetable and crop farming, gaining confidence and control over their livelihoods. For many, this new income felt like a meaningful return on the time, effort and money they had lost to climate crises. 

One of her proudest achievements has been reviving finger millet cultivation – a drought-resistant crop that long dismissed, as it was considered food for low-income households, but now recognized for its climate resistance and nutritional value. 

Historically, farmers had shifted away from finger millet toward rice due to perceived economic value. However, with growing awareness of nutrition, finger millet is gaining renewed interest—ironically, millet flour is now more expensive than rice. 

Last year, Shubhakala earned more than NPR 15,000 (approx. 105 USD) from selling millet alone.

Shubhakala’s journey also reflects strong personal growth.  Supported by the JP RWEE, she became the Secretary of her group, actively participating the in the meeting, engaging with local leaders and gaining confidence to speak in public. This shift demonstrates increased decision-making power, mobility, confidence and collective leadership. 

“It’s not just about economics or farming technology,” she added. “The most important thing we’re learning is to speak up, organize and take part in decision-making, both at home and in our community.”

For Shubhakala, the transformation is not only agricultural—it is personal, social, and generational. She believes that sustained positive changes—such as increased income opportunities and greater confidence among women—can lead to a future where younger generations face less pressure to migrate, benefit from a more open-minded and supportive community, and access expanded opportunities within agriculture and local economies. 

The programme is designed to make these changes multi-generational. Tools like GALS and FEBL engage entire households, prompting family members across generations to reflect on gender roles, power dynamics, and shared responsibilities. Community-level platforms—such as Happy Family Reviews, leadership transformation sessions, and dialogues—bring together men, youth, elders, and leaders, fostering broader social support for women’s empowerment. Women are encouraged to share their new skills and knowledge with family, neighbors, and peers, spreading the transformation beyond the direct participant group.

Shubhakala’s journey illustrates the ripple effect of empowerment: when women gain knowledge, solidarity, and a platform to lead, the benefits extend far beyond the individual, creating lasting change for families and communities across generations.