Milking success Sakina Thakur’s dairy farm earns Rs 2L/month

Defying societal expectations and overcoming economic odds, Sakina Thakur, a young entrepreneur from the remote Tungal valley in Mandi district, has emerged as a shining example of success in the dairy farming sector. Her venture, Sakina Dairy Farm, now earns an impressive monthly income of nearly Rs 2 lakh and has become a model for sustainable dairy entrepreneurship in Himachal Pradesh.

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Sakina, who holds a master’s degree in history from Vallabh Government College, Mandi, could have chosen a conventional career path. But it was her dissatisfaction with the quality of milk available in Mandi city that sparked a transformative idea — to provide high-quality, nutritious milk to the local population. Despite early interests in fitness, modeling, and boxing, and family pressure for a government job, Sakina chose to follow her entrepreneurial instincts.

Her journey was far from easy. Coming from a modest background in Kun village of Kotli subdivision, Sakina initially faced mockery for choosing to work with cattle — a profession often dismissed for educated women. However, her vision and determination only grew stronger. Inspired by local dairy farmer Chinta Devi and educational videos on YouTube, she began gathering knowledge and resources for her own dairy farm.

In July 2024, with just Rs 1.25 lakh in savings and a loan of Rs 2 lakh from a rural bank, she launched Sakina Dairy Farm. She started with Holstein Friesian (HF) cows purchased from a reputed dairy in Bathinda, Punjab. These European-origin cows are known for their high yield and quality milk rich in protein and fat.

The farm has since grown to house 14 HF cows, producing approximately 112 liters of milk daily. With an investment of Rs 4.5 lakh, Sakina built a modern shed and further invested Rs 50,000 in essential equipment like a milking machine and fodder cutter. The farm is also eco-friendly, utilising cow dung as organic fertiliser and creating local employment opportunities.

A significant milestone in her journey came in November 2024, when a women-led milk producers’ cooperative—The Koon Mahila Dugdh Utpadak Sahkari Samiti — was established in her village. The cooperative, supported by the Himachal Pradesh State Milk Producers Federation, has been equipped with advanced facilities like a bulk milk cooler, SNF analyzer, and computerised data management. Sakina plays a key role in milk procurement and management at the centre.

Currently, the cooperative supports around 70 families from Kun, Kot, Lambidhar, Drubbal, Traihar and Mahan villages. Together, they generate a monthly income of nearly Rs 2 lakh. Sakina alone earns around Rs 1.25 lakh per month from her farm, a testament to how rural women can achieve economic independence through innovation and persistence.

Sakina also expressed her gratitude to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for increasing the minimum support price for cow milk to Rs. 51 per litre. “Thanks to the improved rates, we are now getting Rs 41 to Rs 44 per litre, depending on quality. It has truly boosted our income and morale,” she said.

Gram Panchayat up-pradhan Vijay Kumar, lauded Sakina’s efforts, calling her an inspiration for the community. “She has proven that no job is small or inferior. Through determination and vision, even traditional occupations can be transformed into modern success stories,” he said.