Sheela Devi, leader of the Basphool Group in Major village, has long inspired her community with fresh ideas and united action. When her SHG discussed nutrition, she spoke up about Madua, a local millet once thriving in nearby fields but now missing from the market and seed banks. Madua’s high nutritional value makes it an ideal food for resource-poor families, yet few women could access it.
Acting on her vision, VEDIC Society secured half a kilogram of Madua seed and shared it among twelve women, launching a grassroots nutrition movement. Sheela Devi’s remarkable initiative led to a harvest of 80 kg from just 15 decimals of land, the highest among her peers. She quickly championed its use within and beyond her village, encouraging daily consumption to combat malnutrition among women and children.
Madua, also known as finger millet, is packed with calcium, iron, protein, and fibre. It supports bone health, manages blood sugar, treats anaemia, and strengthens the body against lifestyle illnesses. Thanks to Sheela Devi’s leadership, many families now benefit from better nutrition and resilient crops adapted to the local climate.
Her pioneering adoption of the System of Millet Intensification has doubled the yield, revived a local staple, and fostered nutrition security across villages. The credit for this sustainable change belongs to Sheela Devi, a humble leader whose actions have sparked healthier lives and hope for the future.