Profile : Seeds of Change: Chumi Bordoloi’s Rural Revolution

Chumi Bordoloi’s Journey at a Glance: In the quiet lanes of Hationi Bheta village in Assam’s Nagaon district, lives a woman whose journey from the blackboard to backyard farming has transformed the lives of over 5000 rural women. Meet Chumi Bordoloi, a Sanskrit postgraduate, former school teacher, and now an award-winning agro-entrepreneur and social mobilizer. Her name might not yet be in textbooks, but her work deserves a whole chapter in India’s rural transformation story.

A Teacher’s Dream Beyond the Classroom 

Chumi began her professional journey as a high school teacher, but her real aspiration lay elsewhere. “Mujhe shiksha deni thi, lekin classroom ke pare, zindagi ke liye (I wanted to educate, but beyond the classroom, for life),” she says with conviction. She resigned from her government job in 2004, a bold move few would risk. But she had a larger goal: empowering rural women not only with skills but with financial independence.

Her journey toward entrepreneurship began with the realization that despite rich farming activity in her in-laws’ home, market losses were frequent. “We grew mustard, mangoes, rice… but when these reached the market, the rates would drop drastically,” she explains. That’s when the idea struck: Why not process the raw produce and retain the value?

From ‘Kharoli’ to ‘Charu Food Processing Unit’ 

In 2001, she launched her food processing journey with a simple Assamese preparation called ‘Kharoli’, a kind of pickled mustard. The venture was humble, the intent massive. “I had no market access, no brand. But I knew if I gave up, the dream would die,” she recalls. She began exploring training opportunities across Nagaon, learning how to make mango squash, pickles, jams, jellies, and rice-based products.

“At that time, there was no local processing unit in Assam. Everything was coming from outside, be it jam, juice, or sauce. That made things difficult, but also full of opportunity.”

This was the foundation of her Charu Food Processing Unit, named with affection and hope. Despite market hurdles and lack of visibility, she pushed through. “Even when the mango juice didn’t sell, I knew the rice products would help me recover losses. Integrated farming gave me that backup.”

Building an Ecosystem of Empowerment 

But Bordoloi didn’t stop at profits. Her success became a vehicle for others. In 2001, she also formed an NGO that focuses on integrated farming and women’s training through government programs. Over 5000 women have since been trained in areas like food processing, fisheries, piggery, poultry, and organic farming. (Chumi Bordoloi’s Journey at a Glance)

Today, she also serves as the Secretary of Integrated Agro-Farming Development Society, further formalizing her commitment to rural livelihood development. “I always tell people—jo kaam aurat kar sakti hai, mard nahi kar sakta. We work with sincerity and skill. And women just need a nudge—they can build empires with it.”

Land, Labour, and a Legacy 

Bordoloi owns 32 bighas of land in Berhampur, Nagaon and another 165 bighas in Kapahera, Morigaon. Her integrated farming system—spread over 90 hectares—includes paddy-cum-fish farming, duck-cum-fish farming, piggery, goat farming, nursery development, and beekeeping. “Every output has a reuse. Waste fish feed the pigs. Organic fertilizer feeds the land. Kuch bhi waste nahi hota (nothing goes to waste).”

The model yields 5000 kg of produce and has an annual turnover of ₹20 lakhs. Importantly, she uses 100% organic bio-fertilizers. Her method is not just income-focused, it’s sustainable and earth-conscious.

Her unit is also a training ground for new women entrepreneurs. “I tell them, you don’t need to go to the city. Learn here, build here,” she says. Many of her trainees have now launched their own ventures in nearby villages with the help of her NGO’s support.

Recognized, Yet Rooted 

Bordoloi’s work has not gone unnoticed. She has received several national honours, including:

• Best Entrepreneur of Food Processing of Assam (2019)

Best Empowering Lady of India (2019)

Lady Fish Farmer of Assam (2018)

• Best Lady Farmer of India (2015)

Yet she remains modest: “Main koi badi udyami nahi hoon. Main ek zariya hoon (I’m not a big entrepreneur. I’m just a medium).” 

Future Vision: Aqua Tourism and More

With a successful integrated farming ecosystem already in place, Chumi is now envisioning a new frontier: Aqua Fish Tourism. “People love fish, but very few understand how it’s farmed. I want to create a farm-stay experience, where visitors can come, witness the journey of fish from pond to plate, learn about sustainable fish farming, and even enjoy cooking and tasting the fresh catch,” she explains with enthusiasm. (Chumi Bordoloi’s Journey at a Glance)

This isn’t just about tourism—it’s about education, awareness, and rural employment. Her vision is to transform her Morigaon farm into a live experiential center that combines agriculture, aquaculture, and Assamese hospitality. Families, students, and eco-tourists would get a chance to interact with farmers, understand organic inputs, and explore how waste is reused in a circular farming model.

Chumi believes this model can become a game-changer for rural Assam. “If women-led aqua tourism becomes successful here, it will create a ripple effect. Other women in different regions will be inspired to build similar enterprises,” she adds. She is already in discussions with various government departments to secure technical and policy support. For her, this is not just a business idea—it’s a sustainable rural innovation waiting to make waves across India.

A Role Model for Rural India 

What makes Chumi Bordoloi’s story stand out is not just her grit, but her generosity of vision. From mustard seeds to multi-layered entrepreneurship, from Sanskrit shlokas to fish feed cycles, she blends tradition with innovation seamlessly.

She is not just feeding her family or community. She is feeding a movement of self-reliance, of dignity, of sustainable rural livelihoods.

As we conclude the interview, she says with a smile, “Mujhe lagta hai ki main iss duniya mein kuch banane ke liye hi aayi thi. Aur Assam mein peda hokar, mujhe yeh moka mila.”

And truly, in the green heartlands of Assam, Chumi Bordoloi is not just growing food. She’s growing futures.