These women in Haryana are milking profits by selling milk products

For the benefit of the dairy farmers in the country, the production of milk products has been emphasized. Earlier, these farmers would sell the milk to the dairy, but now they process it and sell milk products like paneer, rasgullas and kalakand, directly to the market
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Earlier, Sangeeta Singh, who had five cows, sold the milk to the dairy, but now she processes it instead and sells milk products like paneer, rasgullas and kalakand, directly to the market.

For Sangeeta it is just the beginning, she wants to take her enterprise to the higher levels. A resident of Dhingar Majra village, which is about 30 km far from Karnal, Sangeeta is also associated with Laxmi Swayam Sahayata Samuh. She had been completely supported by the scientists from the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) in her enterprise.

Sangeeta Informs Gaon Connection, “It was the NDRI which imparted us training in village itself in making milk products like gulab jamun, rasgulla, kalakand and coconut mithai. Thereafter we had begun our own work with five women, today we are 10.”

For the benefit of the dairy farmers in the country, the production of milk products has been emphasized. Subsequently, the NDRI in Karnal began training women self-help groups, constituted under NABARD and National Livelihood Mission, in milk-based products so they may become economically self-dependent.

The work and business of animal husbandry is directly associated with the women. In rural areas, women only are involved with feeding and milking the animals.

Priya Sharma, a junior research fellow at NDRIPriya Sharma, a junior research fellow at NDRI

Priya Sharma, a junior research fellow at NDRI, who imparts the milk products training to the women, said, “We are working towards women empowerment. We meet the women self-help groups constituted under NABARD and National Livelihood Mission and explain to them about various products thereafter going to their houses in order to train them.”

“During the training we teach them to make paneer, masala paneer, lassi, gulab jamun, kalakand and coconut mithai. We continue till the time they have mastered each product,” said Priya adding: “So far we have trained women in three districts of Karnal, Sonepat and Panipat. The women requiring funds to start up their work are also given loans.”

In several countries, including India, farmers are worried over poor price for their milk. With many moving away from this business, many more have done value additions to make good profits. This initiative of NDRI has provided a direction and means of livelihood to the women.

Dhingar Majra’s Laxmi has also taken the training for milk products manufacturing. She said: “Previously, the paneer made by us used to be tasteless, but its taste has improved substantially after we have made it with the method that we’ve been taught. Besides paneer we were also trained at home for rasgulla making. Being able to make sweets at home, we need not buy any sweets from the market during the festivals.”

Freedom from adulterated milk products

The business of adulterated milk and milk products is on a rise in the country. So, the milk products made by the women will be beneficial for the health too. Sangeeta says, “There is a lot of adulteration in the market, people add what-not to sweets and khoya during the festivals. The products that we make assure people of purity because they are all home-made.”

The NDRI in Karnal began training women self-help groups in milk-based products so they may become economically self-dependentThe NDRI in Karnal began training women self-help groups in milk-based products so they may become economically self-dependent

Whey beneficial for animals as well as humans

Priya Sharma said: “Often women at home throw away whey from paneer making. One should not throw away such a nutritious liquid. This can be cooled and given to children after adding pineapple or lime juice. It can similarly be given to animals mixed with their feed.

Any woman can seek the training

The NDRI has been working towards women empowerment wherein women are given the training absolutely free of cost. Talking about the training process, Priya Sharma said: “Any woman or group can approach the institute for the purpose of training in dairy products. We even do home visits to train them or if they so wish, can come up to us.” 

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