Tabasum Jan’s inspiring journey from small village to thriving dairy business

Anantnag, Jan 15: Tabasum Jan, an ambitious undergraduate from Pendobal, a remote village in the Kokernag area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, has defied stereotypes to become a successful entrepreneur.

Her journey from a small initiative to establishing a thriving dairy farm serves as a testament to the power of resilience, resourcefulness, and hard work.

Starting her venture with just a few cows, Tabasum who is in her final semester of Bachelor of Arts (BA) has transformed her small initiative into a sustainable business, supported by her family and the Department of Animal Husbandry under the Integrated Dairy Development Scheme (IDDS).

Today, her dairy farm houses 14 cows, including seven that actively produce milk generating an impressive daily yield of 150 liters.

This fresh milk is supplied to nearby markets, earning her a monthly income of approximately Rs 60,000.

Tabasum’s determination and strategic decisions have played a key role in overcoming challenges posed by her remote location.

Initially, her family raised indigenous cow varieties, which provided limited returns. Recognizing the need for change, she switched to improved foreign breeds a few years ago, significantly boosting productivity and profitability.

Tabasum attributes much of her success to her parents.

“This venture wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my parents,” she says.

She also acknowledges the assistance provided by the Department of Animal Husbandry which includes essential resources such as a generator set, an automatic milking machine, a milk cooler, a load carrier, feed, fodder, veterinary services, and training.

Tabasum’s enterprise has created job opportunities within her community. She employs three local workers to assist with day-to-day operations, contributing to the farm’s success while addressing unemployment in the area.

Tabasum has urged the government to establish a veterinary sub-center in Pendobal.

“Apart from small and large farms, people here own about 600 cows. A veterinary center is a necessity since we are forced to take our cows to far-off places for treatment or vaccination,” she said.

Tabasum also advocates for the development of cow-dung gas facilities, which would enable local farmers to use biogas rather than purchasing it.

Her success has not only improved her family’s financial condition but also inspired local youth.

Tabasum encourages educated boys and girls to explore self-employment opportunities instead of relying solely on government jobs.

“The government offers numerous self-employment schemes, and we should take full advantage of them,” she says pointing out potential opportunities in sheep farming, fisheries, and beekeeping.

After two years of successfully running her farm, Tabasum remains eager to adopt new technologies to enhance productivity and reduce effort.

Her forward-thinking approach and dedication to her work make her a beacon of hope and inspiration for her community.

With continued support and innovation, Tabasum remains optimistic about achieving even greater success in the future.

Entrepreneurial Success:

Transformed a small dairy initiative into a thriving business.

Current Operations:

Runs a farm with 14 cows, yielding 150 litres of milk daily.

Income:

Generates approximately

Rs 60,000 monthly from milk sales.

Breed Improvement:

Switched from indigenous to foreign cow breeds to enhance productivity.

Family Support:

Attributes success to the backing of her parents.

Government Aid:

Received resources and training from the Department of Animal Husbandry.

Future Goals:

Eager to adopt new technologies to improve farm productivity.