In Kasganj district, a seed shop becomes a first step towards stability

Radha Kumari, a resident of Kumraua village, runs a small seed and fertiliser shop in Kasganj district. The store, located near Chauraha on Jail Road, operates under the name Radha Khad Bhandar. From her counter, she sells processed and packaged seeds, including  wheat, bajra, maize, peas, and mustard, along with basic agricultural inputs required by farmers in the surrounding villages.

For Radha Kumari, the decision to start the business was rooted in necessity. With limited local employment options and her husband living away while preparing for civil services examinations, she felt the need to create a steady source of income that could support her children’s education and household expenses. “When there is no employment, one has to create one’s own work,” she says.

She began the shop only a few months ago, after learning about the Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan (CM YUVA) Yojana through the local industry office. Financial constraints had held her back previously, particularly the need for equipment and working capital. The scheme offered a way to secure funds without navigating complex private borrowing channels.

Setting up the business

Radha Kumari applied for the loan after gathering information from the industry centre and approached Axis Bank, where her account was held. She had initially heard that loans of up to Rs 5 lakh were available, and eventually received Rs 3.5 lakh to set up and strengthen her operations.

The funds were used to purchase a seed processing machine, which allows her to clean and prepare seeds before packaging them for sale. She buys produce directly from farmers, processes it, and sells it from her shop under her own branding. Apart from seeds, she also stocks basic agricultural medicines and inputs that farmers require during sowing seasons.

She manages the entire operation herself, from opening the shop in the morning to handling customers throughout the day. People from nearby villages such as Umrugwa, Fajalpur, and other surrounding areas come to purchase seeds. Currently, she has not hired additional staff, preferring to keep costs controlled until the business grows further.

The CM YUVA Yojana’s financial support enabled  her to invest in equipment that would otherwise have been difficult to afford. The absence of heavy procedural hurdles, she says, made the process manageable for someone new to business.

Looking ahead, Radha Kumari speaks cautiously about expansion. She hopes the shop continues to grow steadily and that she will eventually be in a position to hire help if demand increases. For now, the focus remains on maintaining quality and serving local farmers consistently.

Her journey from having no independent income to running her own agricultural supply outlet has been recent but significant. The shop represents not a rapid transformation, but a measured step towards financial stability, built on daily effort and a willingness to enter a market where competition already exists.

What is CM YUVA Scheme?

Under the leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath Ji, the state government aims to transform youth from job seekers into job creators.

To achieve this vision, the Directorate of Industries and Enterprise Promotion, under the Department of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises and Export Promotion, is implementing the ‘Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan’ (CM YUVA) Yojana.

Under this scheme, young entrepreneurs are provided with up to Rs 5 lakh in 100% interest-free and collateral-free loans to start their industrial or service-based ventures. In addition, beneficiaries also receive a 10% margin money subsidy on the project cost.

CM YUVA is not just a financial assistance scheme; it also provides mentorship, guidance, market access, and essential resources to help youth become self-reliant entrepreneurs and generate employment opportunities for others.

Click here to know more about the CM YUVA Scheme.