Due to rapid industrialization and in the absence of the necessary backward-forward linkages for inputs and marketing, the small and marginal farmers and agricultural workers in Mehsana district were slowly losing most of their land and assets. Excessive irrigation from bore wells drastically reduced the water table and rendered the remaining water high in fluoride content. The costs of irrigation increased manifold. Due to the unpredictable rains, many small farmers lost their livelihood, and had to take up casual labour. Women agriculture workers were even harder hit: they could find no alternative work and often had to walk miles to collect the necessary fodder and fuel.

SEWA organized the land less women agriculture workers into a co-operative- the Vanlaxmi Women Tree Grower's Cooperative. They demanded and eventually received government revenue land. However, it was not an easy process as the existing disjoint laws in both departments led to a tricky struggle. As per the Co-operative Act, the co-operative could only be registered if the members own land. However as per the Revenue department, the revenue land could be allotted only to a co-operative.

The struggle dragged on for two and a half years, until finally, with SEWA's continued intervention, the Revenue and the Co-operative department came to a mutual agreeable alternative: the landless agriculture workers had to be registered as a Tree Grower's Co-operative rather than as an agriculture worker's co-operative. They were able to form a co-operative for growing trees on the government revenue wasteland. Only then, on registering the co-operative, could the revenue wasteland be allotted.

Through the co-operative, the women systematically planned how to make optimum use of the available land employing a multi-faceted approach. With the help of the local Research Station of Gujarat Agriculture University for technical assistance, the women were able to maximize production and income by using scientific agriculture practices, namely horticulture, agro-forestry, drip irrigation, compost pits and rainwater harvesting techniques. They utilized low-cost methods of boosting productivity such as designing cropping methods to enrich the soil. For example, the roots on the gram plants increase the nitrogen content in the soil. In all the activities the co-operative encouraged participation of all village communities and women in their efforts.

Today, the Vanlaxmi Co-operative stands as a model for the entire district of how the landless poor can successfully implement collective agriculture. Women who used to earn just Rs.15 as agricultural day labourers and who never engaged themselves in matters of yield, sale, expenditure or market are now recognized as farmers. They now meticulously manage their land and expenditure. The co-operative has acquired improved equipment such as a power tiller, thrasher, and a drip irrigation system. The plan also ensures full employment for the members and the land meets the fodder and the fuel needs of the village. The co-operative has been licensed as an authorized seed distributor by the Gujarat State Seed Corporation Limited. The co-operative also provides timely and reasonable prices quality seeds to not only their own village, but to the entire area.

This plot has now been developed as a demonstration centre for awareness raising and education to the communities from the other villages and the other districts. This site has also been developed as an eco tourism centre; which will not only help in awareness generation among the community at large, but at the same time will also generate income for the women farmers. This will not only be helpful to the rural communities but at the same time students from schools, younger and older generations, private companies from cities and urban areas can also see and learn from the women of the Vanlaxmi Co-operative.