
Traceable dairy supply and premium pricing boost women farmers’ income and quality standards.
Near Mysuru in southern India, engineer-turned-entrepreneur Kamalesh Mandya launched The Farming Buddha in 2022 with a mission to transform local dairy economics by paying farmers up to 40 % more than prevailing milk prices, addressing rising input costs that once forced households to sell off cattle. By mid-2023 the enterprise began operations, now both sourcing and delivering fresh milk directly to urban consumers.
Convincing farmers to join was the first major hurdle. After securing a single supplier, word of higher prices and reliable payments spread quickly. Today, the initiative works with more than 50 farmers, 38 of them women, with over 150 more on a waiting list, illustrating strong grassroots demand for fair-pricing dairy models.
For many women suppliers, the extra income has had tangible impact: covering education expenses, purchasing additional livestock, upgrading household assets, and securing more stable financial footing. The program also includes cattle health support and training sessions with BAIF to improve nutrition and preventive care, enhancing herds’ overall productivity.
Beyond pricing, The Farming Buddha emphasizes supply chain transparency. Using IoT-enabled traceability, milk is tested at every hand-off and consumers receive daily quality reports. This system aims to eliminate traditional adulteration risks and strengthen trust between urban subscribers and rural producers in an increasingly opaque dairy market.
The enterprise also integrates sustainability and community development: milk is delivered in reusable glass bottles, biogas from cow dung powers dairy processing, and a women-run café creates additional livelihoods. The founder plans to expand into mixed farm baskets and village-level products, further embedding value creation for rural dairy families.
Source: The Better India – https://thebetterindia.com/farming/mysuru-dairy-women-farmers-fair-milk-pricing-farming-buddha-kamalesh-mandya-11122129/
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