Rajeshwari, a farmer in the drought-stricken Koratagere taluk of Tumakuru district, has achieved success in the dairy sector. Starting with five cows, she now has 46 cows producing 650.
Refusing to buckle under economic burden in the drought-stricken Koratagere taluk of Tumakuru district, a 43-year-old farmer, Rajeshwari, has scripted a success story in the dairy sector with sheer grit and dedication.
Taking up dairy farming five years ago with just five cows, Rajeshwari has transformed her farm into a thriving enterprise which now has 46 cows producing an astounding 650 litres of milk every day.
Recognising her achievement in the dairy sector, the Indian Dairy Association (IDA) presented her with the best woman dairy farmer award last week in Bengaluru.
Rajeshwari’s saga commenced in 2019 when, at the age of 39, she embarked on a mission to create a sustainable livelihood while prioritising the wellbeing of cows at home. However, the path was fraught with challenges, ranging from sourcing fodder to mobilising veterinary care.
“As I realised that it is difficult to get enough fodder in the parched landscape like Koratagere, I decided to cultivate it and obtained land on lease from neighbourhood farmers to take up maize and cotton seed cultivation on a six-acre plot. This entire exercise made my venture profitable,” she said.
Due to the hard work and cultivation of quality fodder, the profit margins gradually began to increase, prompting Rajeshwari to reinvest in her enterprise. “I began looking out to purchase more cows, particularly the Jersey and Holstein Friesian breeds, as they are known for their high milk yield. Today, I have 46 cows.”
With enough fodder and veterinary care, Rajeshwari’s farm contributes an impressive 650 litres of milk daily to the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), translating to a monthly income of Rs 7 lakh.
To ensure the wellbeing of her cows, Rajeshwari employs about four workers to ensure proper care and maintenance. “The margin of profit varies according to the season. Along with salaries of staff, I need to spend on procuring fodder from Mandya and adjoining districts during summer. But in monsoon, these expenses are taken care of as we cultivate fodder on our leased land,” she said.
The biggest threats according to her have been the outbreak of foot and mouth disease and lumpy skin disease over the past few years. “We enforced the biosecurity measures to protect the herd and prevent them from any possible infection. The animal husbandry and veterinary department also helped us with timely vaccination and veterinary care,” she recalled.
Rajeshwari’s achievements have garnered recognition, with two Kannada Rajyotsava taluk-level awards, six KMF taluk-level awards, and four district-level accolades as the best woman in dairy farming.
