PowHER Series | From Learning to Leading: Pratiksha’s Journey of Self-Reliance

Rabinarayan Sahoo
5 days ago
3 min read

“To do something in life, there must be a strong intention behind it.”

For Pratiksha Jamble, this belief was never just a thought. It was her compass.

Growing up in a business-oriented family, Pratiksha witnessed entrepreneurship up close. She saw people start small, take risks, face setbacks, and rebuild with resilience. That environment quietly shaped her mindset. Building something of one’s own was never unfamiliar. But she also believed that ambition needs grounding before it takes flight. Learning had to come before leadership.

Learning that shaped leadership

When Pratiksha joined AgroStar in July 2023, she entered an ecosystem deeply rooted in real farm realities, market dynamics, and farmer-first problem solving. AgroStar became a space where she could immerse herself in agriculture from the ground up. Through on-field exposure, farmer interactions, and market insights, she developed a strong understanding of how agriculture works beyond theory.

What stood out was the culture. Learning was practical, collaborative, and purpose-driven. Working closely with her colleagues at AgroStar, she absorbed how to listen to farmers, understand their challenges, and think in terms of long-term solutions rather than short-term transactions. Those experiences steadily built her confidence and strengthened her professional foundation.

"The confidence to speak to farmers, understand their problems, and offer the right solutions came from my time at AgroStar.”

When learning meets conviction

During this phase of growth, another aspiration began taking clearer shape. Her vision of running an agri-input business started aligning with what she was learning every day. What once felt like two parallel journeys, professional learning and entrepreneurial ambition, slowly merged into one clear direction.

AgroStar did not pause her journey. It prepared her for it.

Choosing courage over comfort

In October 2024, Pratiksha stood at a defining crossroads. The shop launch was planned, but challenges were real. Stock, support systems, and resources were not always guaranteed. Pressure was intense.

Instead of waiting for perfect conditions, she chose action. She invested her own savings, arranged what she could independently, and moved forward with conviction. There were moments of doubt and emotional overwhelm. But she held firmly to the belief that had guided her all along.

“The journey from struggle to success is real. Difficulties come for a reason.”

On one particularly challenging morning, when everything felt overwhelming, she paused, gathered herself, and chose resilience. Soon after, solutions followed. Materials arrived. Obstacles eased. What felt impossible began to align.

AgroStar ki Laal Dukan: Turning intent into impact

Pratiksha’s entrepreneurial journey found strong grounding through AgroStar ki Laal Dukan, AgroStar’s Saathi Store initiative. These tech-enabled agri-input outlets act as trusted local touchpoints for farmers, offering high-quality seeds, crop nutrition, crop protection products, and farm implements under one roof.

With access to over 200+ AgroStar brand products, expert advisory support, and a strong supply chain, Saathi Stores empower partners like Pratiksha to run sustainable, profitable businesses while improving farmers’ access to quality inputs. Today, with more than 10,000 Saathi Stores across India, this omnichannel initiative is helping partners reduce risk, increase margins, and build long-term trust in their communities.

For Pratiksha, it became more than a business. It became a platform for independence, purpose, and impact.

Strength rooted in self-reliance

Her journey reinforced a belief she holds close. Self-reliance is not arrogance. It is responsibility. She believes success should never be mixed with ego. Ego destroys what hard work builds. True success lies in earning your livelihood with honesty, staying grounded, and growing without losing humility.

“Whatever I have today is because of my hard work and self-belief. This self-reliance is my strength.”

The AgroStar influence

While the leap was hers, the foundation was collective. Her colleagues at AgroStar Kishore, Sandip, Ganesh and others played a defining role in her growth. They shared market understanding, agricultural insights, and constant encouragement. From learning how organisations function to strengthening her communication and confidence, AgroStar became more than a workplace. It became a foundation.A place that trusted her potential before she fully trusted herself.

From AgStar to entrepreneur

Today, Pratiksha stands as an entrepreneur, financially independent, mentally resilient, and deeply connected to the farming ecosystem she now serves with confidence.

Her story is not about leaving a job.It is about using learning as a launchpad.It is about believing that women can build, lead, and sustain businesses rooted in purpose.