As I visited Mukjuva village in Anand district, Gujarat, on February 11, 2025, the daytime temperature was starting to rise noticeably. I was part of a 15-member delegation from the Sakthi Group of Companies, embarked on a mission to explore the thriving dairy ecosystem in Punjab and Gujarat. Our destination, Mukjuva village, is home to approximately 150 dairy farmers who have benefited from a National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) initiative aimed at augmenting farm incomes through dairy farming.

We had the privilege of meeting Jagrutiben, the wife of SanjaybhaiPadhiyar, a pioneering farmer who has successfully integrated dairy farming with agriculture, serving as a beacon of inspiration for her village through her association with NDDB. With her farm being a regular destination for visitors, Jagrutiben effortlessly engaged with us, requiring no persuasion. She began sharing her insights in Gujarati, which were seamlessly translated into English by Ms. Jinny, Project Coordinator at NDDB Mrida Ltd., ensuring a smooth and effective communication.

Jagrutiben explained that the bio-slurry unit installed adjacent to her residence has been a lucrative addition, yielding supplementary income while also enabling her to save substantially on LPG refills, to the tune of ₹1,500 per month. She diligently feeds 50 kg of cow dung into her biogas unit (Flexi Biogas Model) daily, which has been functioning optimally since its inception. The two cubic meters of biogas generated daily suffice for her household needs. Moreover, she utilizes the bio-slurry as organic fertilizer on her family’s five bighas of land, and sells the surplus at ₹2 per kg.

Jagrutiben’s dairy farm boasts an inventory of 20 animals, predominantly comprising Holstein Friesian cows, generating a substantial net income of approximately ₹35,000 per month. In addition to her dairy endeavours, she has been cultivating wheat and tobacco on her land for several years, yielding a supplementary income, further diversifying her agricultural revenue streams.

I penned this blog to showcase Jagrutiben’s exemplary ability to establish a thriving dairy enterprise as a viable agribusiness venture. The impressive revenue figures she shared with us unequivocally demonstrate the prudent decision she made in venturing into the dairy industry. In my opinion, dairy farming presents a lucrative opportunity for small-scale farmers to augment their income. Jagrutiben serves as a shining exemplar, inspiring small farmers, particularly women, as she continues to excel in her multifaceted role as a successful farm woman, dairy farmer, and agripreneur.

Published by: Dr. Ravi Kumar Theodore, Principal, KIA