In the border block of Teetwal, Samiya Parvaiz is redefining rural success. By transforming her small farm into a thriving vegetable hub, she is proving that with the right support, women can lead the way in sustainable livelihoods and economic independence even in the most remote regions.
By Arsheed Ahmad Bhat
In the shadow of the rugged mountains that define the Line of Control where the air is thin and the winters are unforgiving the narrative of rural Kashmir is often one of hardship and geographical isolation. But in the border block of Teetwal the soil is telling a different story of resilience and economic defiance and the quiet transformative power of a woman named Samiya Parvaiz. Samiya is more than a farmer she is a Mahila Kissan who has turned the logistical nightmare of a border outpost into a thriving agricultural hub. In a region where livelihood opportunities are as scarce as the oxygen at high altitudes her success serves as a blueprint for how institutional support when paired with individual grit can rewrite the economic script of a village.
For decades remote border areas like Teetwal have suffered from a dependency trap. Due to difficult terrain and a lack of local production residents often relied on external suppliers for basic nutrition. This made fresh produce expensive and its availability erratic. Samiya Parvaiz recognized this gap not just as a challenge but as a market opportunity. As a committed member of a Self Help Group under the Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission she decided to pivot from traditional subsistence level farming to a market oriented model of seasonal vegetable cultivation. The transition was not merely about planting seeds it was about professionalizing her labor. Through the JKRLM Samiya received the handholding that many rural entrepreneurs lack including access to improved farming practices and climate resilient crop selection and the technical knowledge required to maximize the output of her specific plot of land.
Today the farm managed by Samiya is a vibrant patch of productivity. She has mastered the art of farm to market linkages with a localized twist. Instead of struggling with complex long distance logistics she has turned her land into a direct point of sale. Local residents now walk to her farm to buy fresh nutritious vegetables effectively cutting out the middleman and the carbon footprint of transport. Her impact however extends beyond her farm gate. By supplying nearby local markets she has strengthened the internal food security of the border population. In doing so she has reduced the community reliance on outside vendors keeping capital within the village and ensuring that the border premium on food prices begins to evaporate.
The numbers tell a compelling story of financial independence. Through disciplined farm management and a keen eye on seasonal demand Samiya is now earning approximately two lakh rupees annually. In the context of a remote rural household this is a transformative figure. It represents a buffer against the economic shocks common in border regions and a pathway to better educational investments for the next generation and a shift in social capital as she transitions from a worker to a rural entrepreneur. Beyond the individual income generation her journey has inspired other women in the border villages to take up agriculture based livelihoods and join SHGs.
Samiya success highlights how women collectivization and financial inclusion and livelihood support under JKRLM can create resilient self-reliant rural entrepreneurs even in the most challenging and remote areas. Her story stands as a testament to the power of women and agriculture and community led development in transforming lives at the grassroots. Even in a place like Teetwal defined by its borders and its barriers Samiya Parvaiz has found a way to grow something that knows no boundaries which is prosperity. As the JKRLM continues to expand its reach Samiya stands as a shining example of the hope the mission aims to instill. She has proven that with the right institutional backing the women of Jammu and Kashmir are not just witnesses to community development they are the ones driving it one harvest at a time.
The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of this newspaper
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