Empowering dreams

Khushbu’s unwavering determination and belief in herself led her to overcome obstacles and triumph as a dairy entrepreneur

Khushbu Kumari, an ambitious young woman from the village of Lunava in Bali block, Rajasthan, dreamed of achieving financial independence. However, she faced staunch resistance from her family, which prevented her from finding a good job and supporting her father. Other girls and women in her village too often faced numerous challenges and limitations in their pursuit of a better life.

Empowering individuals and uplifting communities
Tata Trusts launched a transformative initiative to empower individuals like Khushbu by imparting knowledge and skills in dairy farming. This initiative is aimed at providing them with opportunities to earn a sustainable livelihood.

Asha MPC is one of the five milk producer companies established by Dairy Health and Nutrition Initiative India Foundation (DHANII), which was set up under the Trusts’ Tata Dairy Mission, in collaboration with NDDB Dairy Services. Tata Dairy Mission aims to improve the livelihoods of milk producers by increasing their milk production capacity and promoting best practices in animal health, breed improvement, and animal nutrition. By establishing milk producer companies equipped with advanced technology and market linkages, DHANII ensures fair prices for milk and milk products. With a far-reaching impact on over 2,700 villages, benefitting more than 1,16,000 dairy farmers, the Tata Dairy Mission has successfully transformed local economies and provided alternate livelihood options for small-scale farmers.

Transforming lives through dairy entrepreneurship
Khushbu’s perseverance finally paid off as she seized the opportunity presented by Asha MPC. With the guidance and support of the Tata Trusts’ DHANII team, she embarked on her journey as a young dairy entrepreneur. Through regular training and handholding, Khushbu witnessed significant changes in her dairy practices. She improved the health, milk yield, and quality of her animals, and expanded her cattle farming business. Her profits soon began to soar, elevating the living standards of her family.

Khushbu’s inspiring journey of success
Today, Khushbu’s dedication and hard work have yielded remarkable outcomes. Selling milk at fair prices through Asha MPC has become effortless, generating her a steady income of approximately Rs 22,000 per month. Moreover, Khushbu has become a proud shareholder of the MPC. Her entrepreneurial skills have flourished, instilling her with confidence and allowing her to support her family.

Fostering sustainable livelihoods
Reflecting on her journey, Khushbu expresses, “Asha has enhanced my entrepreneurial skills and given me the confidence to lead a life on my own terms. My father is so proud of me.”

Tata Trusts continue to create lasting change by supporting initiatives that empower individuals, strengthen communities, and pave the way for a brighter future. Through strategic interventions like these, the Trusts reaffirm their commitment to bringing in positive change and prosperity to the lives of communities.