Shri. Bijoy Mondal, a post-graduate from Kanthalberia Village, Nakashipara Block, Nadia District, West Bengal, had a deep-rooted interest in agriculture, particularly in dairy farming, alongside his career pursuits in teaching. Driven by the goals of income generation, self-reliance, sustainable production, and livelihood security, he chose dairy farming as his full-time profession.
To strengthen his knowledge and skills, Shri. Mondal underwent a 28-day skill development training programme on smallholder dairy farming under the Agricultural Skill Council of India (ASCI), organized by ICAR–NDRI Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Nadia, West Bengal. The training provided him with comprehensive exposure to scientific dairy practices covering animal housing, breeding, feeding, health management, and farm economics for different categories of dairy animals. This training laid the foundation for his entrepreneurial journey.
Following the training, Shri. Mondal continued to engage with the scientists of KVK Nadia (Addl.), seeking their technical advice and participating in multiple capacity-building programmes. Encouraged by their guidance, he decided to establish his own dairy enterprise.
With a loan assistance of ₹50 lakh, Shri. Mondal set up a modern dairy unit housing 42 cattle, including 24 high-yielding milch cows such as Sahiwal, Gir, Jersey, Holstein, Mundi, and Sahiwal–Jersey crossbreeds, procured from Bihar. He availed a 35% subsidy under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) to support the venture. With continuous technical guidance from KVK scientists, he manages his herd scientifically to achieve optimum milk yield.
Currently, the dairy produces around 340 litres of milk per day, which is sold locally at ₹50 per litre, earning a daily gross income of ₹17,000 and an annual gross return of ₹62.05 lakh. The average daily expenditure stands at approximately ₹12,000, covering costs of concentrate feed (₹6,500), green fodder (₹2,000), labour (₹1,500), electricity (₹500 for chaff cutter, pump, and lighting), medicines and mineral mixtures (₹1,000), and miscellaneous expenses (₹500). The annual expenditure totals ₹43.80 lakh, resulting in a net annual income of about ₹18.25 lakh, or roughly ₹1.52 lakh per month.
In addition to milk production, Shri. Mondal effectively utilizes cow dung for organic fodder production through composting, which reduces dependence on chemical fertilizers and enhances the sustainability of his dairy enterprise. He also plans to initiate vermi-compost production to generate additional income. On 1.5 hectares of land, he cultivates Red Napier grass and seasonal fodder crops to ensure a continuous supply of green fodder. His enterprise also provides employment to two full-time workers, each earning ₹10,000 per month.
The journey, however, was not without challenges. Shri. Mondal faced issues such as mastitis outbreaks, labour shortages, fodder scarcity during lean periods, and marketing hurdles. Yet, he prioritized preventive healthcare, ensuring regular deworming and timely vaccination, particularly against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). Through prompt veterinary interventions, efficient labour management, and consistent local marketing efforts, he successfully overcame these difficulties.
Today, Shri. Bijoy Mondal stands as an inspiring example of a successful rural dairy entrepreneur. His journey reflects unwavering determination, a clear vision, and transformative leadership. His success has not only brought financial stability to his family but has also motivated many rural youths to view agriculture as a promising avenue for entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
(Source: ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kolkata)
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