Velidandla Swapna, a resident of Pulivendula in Andhra Pradesh's YSR Kadapa district, has transformed her passion for cooking into a successful millet-based food business. After leaving school early due to marriage and facing financial challenges, she initially worked in a glass factory before deciding to start a home-based enterprise using her culinary skills.
Three years ago, Swapna began preparing and selling Sadda Rotte, a traditional pearl millet flatbread made with groundnuts, sesame seeds, and chilli powder. As demand grew, she expanded her product range to include a variety of millet and multigrain foods. Today, she produces around 100 to 150 millet flatbreads daily, serving customers not only across India but also overseas.
Her business has gained recognition for its authentic taste, quality, and focus on healthy traditional foods. Swapna believes millet-based products can play an important role in promoting healthier lifestyles, especially for people managing conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Her entrepreneurial journey highlights how traditional knowledge, determination, and innovation can empower women, improve family livelihoods, and encourage greater adoption of nutritious millet-based foods.