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Awards
Smt. Pooja Sharma has been recognized and appreciated by Hon’ble Governor of Haryana, Sh. Kaptan Singh Solanki in 2015, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Haryana, Sh. Manohar Lal Khattar in 2015 and Hon’ble Cabinet Minister of Agriculture, Sh. Radha Mohan Singh in 2016 which has created impact on other women also to create their own identity in the society. The details of the awards are as follows:
- First prize in Pusa Horticulture Show organized by IARI, New Delhi in 2015.
- First prize in Bougainvillea Festival organized by Division of Floriculture & Landscaping, IARI, New Delhi in 2015.
- Appreciation award in Agri-leadership summit-2015.
- IARI Innovative Farmer’s Award in 2016.
- Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Antyodaya Krishi Puruskar- 2015.
- Innovative Farmer Award in 9th National Seminar on “Doubling Farmer’s Income by 2022: Challenges, Opportunities and Way Forward” organized by Mobilization, New Delhi and Career Point University, Himachal Pradesh in 2020.
- Received Nari Shakti Puruskar-2021 by Hon’ble President of
India on 8th March, 2022 on the occasion of International
Women’s Day.
Recognition
Smt. Pooja Sharma
Her story has been covered in many newspapers like Dainik Jagran, Amar Ujala, Hari Bhoomi, Navbharat Times, Dainik Bhasakar etc.
Her success story was also telecasted by Doordarshan, DD Kisan and private channels like Green TV.
Her success story was also published by MANAGE, Hyderabad.
She was also nominated for “Best Woman Farmer” among 114 woman farmers selected from all over the country for Krishi Reality Show by DD-Kisan.
Special and outstanding achievements during the last 5 years
- Smt. Pooja Sharma, a resident of Chandu village in Gurugram, Haryana, is an epitome of women empowerment and entrepreneurship. She has not only transformed her own life but has also uplifted numerous other women in her community through her unwavering determination and entrepreneurial spirit.
- Pooja Sharma's journey began with the establishment of a self-help group named "Kshitiz," which aimed to empower women through income generation. She recognized the potential of soybean-based products and sought guidance from Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Gurugram. With their assistance, the group embarked on producing soynut, a protein-rich snack made from soybean.
- The group's initial marketing efforts focused on schools, gyms, and various fairs. Their perseverance paid off, and by 2014, they had earned a net annual profit of Rs. 15,000 from soynut sales alone. Undeterred, Pooja Sharma expanded their product range to include processed soy flour, pearlmillet flour, dalia, maize flour, nutritious soy health drinks, pearl-millet biscuits, and savory snacks. This diversification led to a significant increase in their profit, reaching Rs. 70,000 to 80,000 annually by 2015.
- In 2017, their entrepreneurial journey took a significant leap when Krishi Vigyan Kendra provided them with food processing equipment under the ARYA project. This enabled them to enhance their production capacity and boost their profit to Rs. 2 lakhs in that year.
- Pooja Sharma's success caught the attention of the NGO "Access Development," which recognized her entrepreneurial potential and provided the SHG members with hands-on training in bakery and product development. This training led to the establishment of their company, "ZingnZest," in 2018.
- With the support of "Access Development," ZingnZest expanded its product range to include a variety of healthy and nutritious cookies, bread, and pizza. Their improved marketing strategy, which included targeting food chain stores and government offices, resulted in a substantial increase in sales and an income of Rs. 7-8 lakhs in 2019.
- Pooja Sharma's unwavering commitment to quality and her focus on using coarse millets, flax seeds, ajwain, and desi khand instead of chemically treated sugar have earned her a reputation for producing pure and nutritious products. Her efforts have not only improved the health and nutrition of the community but have also established her as a role model for women entrepreneurs in the region.
- Pooja Sharma's story is a testament to the power of determination, resilience, and entrepreneurship. She has not only transformed her own life but has also become a beacon of hope and empowerment for countless other women in her community. Her journey serves as an inspiration to all those who aspire to make a positive impact on the world.