Success Story: Know how this woman from Tamil Nadu achieved success in Vetiver cultivation
Success Story: CR Poorni’s life has been full of perseverance and commitment. She lives in the Chengalpattu district of Tamil Nadu, more specifically in Pudupattinam. Working with the aromatic and highly valued grass vetiver has been her life’s work. Her business began with crafts rather than farming. Her first venture was to create vetiver-based crafts, such as eye-soothing masks, cushions and scrubs. She was fascinated by the natural and eco-friendly properties of vetiver and recognized the potential to create something valuable and long-lasting.
Starting Vetiver Farming
In 2023, she expanded her knowledge by starting vetiver farming. She began growing vetiver with an investment of 50 cents on a piece of land near Pudupattinam. This farming further accelerated her path to agribusiness. Unlike many other crops, vetiver is not a variety-based crop. The unique properties of this aromatic and therapeutic plant, especially the scent of its roots and its soil-binding properties, make it one of the most sought-after plants.
Acquiring Skills Through Education
Poorni received formal training in the production of vetiver products as she was passionate about learning and improving herself. She learned to make a variety of vetiver-based items during a government-sponsored training program offered by CSIR. Apart from helping her hone her abilities, the information she acquired helped her access new possibilities.
She eventually became a trainer and in addition to sharing what she had learned,. To help more people benefit from this activity, she is currently actively engaged in teaching others how to make items from vetiver. As a qualified trainer in the Chengalpattu district in 2024, she expanded the reach of her skill-upgradation objective.
Creating a lucrative venture
Her business, Swayambhu Handicrafts Mart, is located on the route between Chennai and Pondicherry. She uses this store to sell her handcrafted vetiver items, attracting customers who appreciate their organic and eco-friendly properties.
Due to the success of her business, she now earns Rs 6 to 7 lakh annually. Her achievement is an example of how traditional crafts can be transformed into a lucrative and long-term source of income by combining them with agriculture and entrepreneurial abilities.
Training to empower others
Apart from being an entrepreneur, CR Poorni also has an impact on the community. In fact, she often trains others by sharing her expertise in farming and vetiver product production. As a trainer, she can encourage other aspiring agribusiness owners to create their own companies and means of livelihood. By providing her expertise, she is impacting a large number of people in the agriculture and crafts sectors.
A source of inspiration for women entrepreneurs
Her story is a great source of inspiration for the agriculture and agribusiness sectors. It shows the potential of integrating age-old knowledge with modern entrepreneurial approaches. Her story encourages others—especially women—to look for agricultural jobs, learn new skills and create a sustainable income source. CR Purni’s commitment and hard work show that anyone who is willing to take risks can succeed in agriculture and agribusiness with the right attitude and perseverance.
