Himachal Woman Earns Lakhs from Dairy in Mandi

MANDI: At Kun village under Kot panchayat of the Kotli sub-division in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district, a young woman is quietly transforming the landscape of rural entrepreneurship. Sakina Thakur, a postgraduate in history, has turned a modest beginning into a thriving dairy venture — one that now earns her over Rs 2 lakh per month and provides inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs across the state.

What started with just Rs 1.25 lakh in savings and a small loan from a rural bank has grown into a full-fledged dairy operation named Sakina Dairy Farm. With sheer determination, family support and a strong will to succeed, Sakina has proven that even in remote areas, innovation and hard work can yield remarkable results.

Vision born from a simple observation

Sakina’s journey began while pursuing her higher studies in Mandi town. Disturbed by the low-quality milk available in the local market, she began contemplating how to provide better-quality, nutritious milk to people. While her interests ranged from modeling to boxing, and her family encouraged her to seek a government job, Sakina charted a different path.

She briefly worked as a surveyor in a health department project and used her earnings as seed capital to enter the dairy sector. Facing skepticism and social resistance, especially around the idea of an educated woman managing cattle, Sakina pushed forward with quiet resolve.

Learning, adapting and growing

Support and inspiration came from nearby Bhargaon village, where Chinta Devi, a fellow farmer, offered valuable advice. Sakina also turned to YouTube to learn the intricacies of dairy farming. She later purchased high-yielding Holstein Friesian (HF) cows from Gurvinder Dairy Farm near Bathinda in Punjab.

Known for their rich milk with high fat and protein content, these European-breed cows adapted well to the region’s climate and added value to her dairy operations.

To support her growing farm, Sakina took a loan of Rs 2 lakh and formally launched her dairy business in July 2024. Her efforts soon gained momentum, especially with the support of her mother Rama Devi and her siblings.

Building a model dairy unit

Today, Sakina Dairy Farm houses 14 HF cows and produces approximately 112 litres of milk daily. She has constructed a modern cattle shed at a cost of Rs 4.5 lakh and invested another Rs 50,000 in equipment such as milking machines and fodder cutters. Fodder is sourced locally and from Punjab, and even cow dung is efficiently used as organic fertiliser.

The farm not only supports her family but also provides employment to a local worker. Sakina’s personal income now stands at about Rs 1.25 lakh per month and the cooperative society she is part of earns nearly Rs 2 lakh monthly.

Women’s dairy cooperative: A game changer

In November 2024, the Kun Mahila Dugdh Utpadak Sahkari Samiti (Women’s Dairy Producers’ Cooperative Society) was established in her village with the support of the Himachal Pradesh State Milk Producers’ Federation.

The facility was equipped with a 2-quintal capacity bulk milk cooler, SNF analyzer, ultrasonic stirrer and computerised systems. Sakina now oversees milk procurement at the centre, serving nearby villages such as Kot, Lambidhar, Dhruval, Traihar, and Mahan, linking over 70 families to the dairy cooperative movement.

Government support and gratitude

Sakina credits the state government’s proactive policies for providing a solid foundation to young dairy entrepreneurs like herself. She currently receives Rs 41-44 per litre of milk, depending on quality.

With the recent announcement of a minimum support price of Rs 51 for cow milk, Sakina has publicly thanked Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for his farmer-friendly decisions.

Inspiration for rural India

Village panchayat deputy head Vijay Kumar praised Sakina as a role model for the region: “She has shown that no work is too small or unsuitable for an educated woman. Her success has brought pride to the village and inspired many others to explore entrepreneurship at the grassroots.”

With her determination, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to quality, Sakina Thakur has not only built a successful business — she has laid the foundation for a new model of self-reliance in rural Himachal Pradesh.

Source : Dairynews7x7 MAy 13th 2025 The Newz Radar