How did Gujarat's Maniben achieve milk sales worth Rs 1.94 crore in 2024-25 and target Rs 3 crore this year?

Gandhinagar, Sep 18 (NationPress) In the pursuit of growing 'atmanirbharata' for women in Gujarat, Maniben from Banaskantha has achieved a remarkable feat by generating Rs 1.94 crore in milk sales over the past year. She is now ambitiously aiming to reach Rs 3 crore in sales by the next fiscal year.

Maniben's inspiring journey has motivated numerous women in the area, who regard her as a role model and are eager to emulate her path toward self-sufficiency.

With her sales reaching Rs 1.94 crore, she holds the position of the second-highest seller in Banaskantha district and is now focused on achieving her new sales target of Rs 3 crore.

The 65-year-old Maniben Jesung Chaudhary, hailing from Kasara village in Kankrej taluka, supplies 1,100 litres of milk daily to the local The Patelvas (Kasara) Milk Producers' Cooperative Society.

During the fiscal year 2024-25, she delivered 3,47,180 litres of milk valued at Rs 1,94,05,047.

This achievement secured her the second position in the 'Best Banas Lakshmi' category within Banaskantha district, and she received a certificate of recognition for her efforts.

Maniben is determined to elevate her success even further.

Her youngest son, Vipul, mentioned to the media, 'With proper guidance from Banas Dairy, we are making substantial progress in this field. In 2011, we had merely 10 to 12 cows and buffaloes, which has now expanded to over 230. Presently, we have 140 adult buffaloes, 90 cows, and about 70 calves. This year, we aim to acquire 100 additional buffaloes to enhance our milk production. By year-end, we plan to achieve milk sales exceeding Rs 3 crore.'

To facilitate this growth, her family has constructed sheds for the care of their livestock.

They raise Banni, Mehsani, and Murrah breeds of buffaloes, alongside Holstein Friesian cows and four indigenous Kankrej breed cows.

Currently, around 16 families are involved with Maniben in animal husbandry activities.

Milking of the cows and buffaloes is performed with the aid of modern technology, while family members actively participate in all operational aspects, exemplifying Aatmanirbharta.

Vipul also noted, 'All three of us brothers are graduates and fully dedicated to this work. As profits in animal husbandry continue to grow, many young individuals will be motivated to pursue this profession.'

Women play a crucial role in Gujarat's animal husbandry sector, mainly through dairy cooperatives and self-help groups.

Of the over 16,000 milk producers' cooperative societies in the state, approximately 4,150 are managed by women.

Among more than 36 lakh members across Gujarat, over 11 lakh are women.

Their contributions are significant in larger dairies like Banas Dairy, which collects around 90 lakh litres of milk daily, where women in animal husbandry play an essential role.

Within Banas Dairy, numerous women members have improved their economic stability by supplying milk valued at over Rs 50 lakh annually.