In the small but lively town of Bahadurgarh, located just 20 km southwest of Patiala city in Punjab, two teenage sisters, Mannat and Eknoor Mehmi, have turned a family necessity into a thriving business. India Goat Milk Farm, which began just four years ago, was born out of a personal health crisis when Mannat was diagnosed with jaundice. A well-meaning elder suggested that goat milk could help in her recovery, leading their father, Harbhajan Singh, to invest Rs 20,000 in a single goat.
Recalling the initial days, Mannat says, “We were quite young and had always wanted a pet dog or a cat, so we were just very excited about having a goat at least.” Once the first goat gave birth to a female kid and the newborn was fed its first milk, the family began incorporating it into their daily diet. “After we started using the milk in our house every day, we saw great results,” she adds. “We didn’t get sick as often and recovered quickly if we did.”
The nutritional power of goat milk
According to a review in the National Library of Medicine, the benefits of goat milk include “immunomodulatory effects, allergy management, anti‐inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, as well as antimicrobial and anticancer properties.”
Goat milk is often recommended for people suffering from both jaundice and dengue because of its rich nutrient profile and easy digestibility. It contains proteins, vitamins, and minerals that support overall health and recovery.
Dr Meenakshi Bhatt, a clinical dietician, suggests that while goat milk is generally good for the liver and can help people recover faster, it is best consumed when diluted with water. Goat milk has high protein content, and substantial fat in it which might cause stomach issues for people who are not used to thicker and creamier milks.
Compared to cow and sheep milk, goat milk offers a higher concentration of selenium which can also aid in the recovery process. “Our parents used to give us pediasure to help build immunity, but after starting to drink goat milk, we stopped that also,” says Mannat.
Transforming kindness into commerce
Word soon spread, and people began approaching them for goat milk. “Somebody who had heard about our goats came to buy the milk, and initially, we just gave it away for free to a lot of people,” says Mannat.
But after doing a lot of research and recognising the growing demand for goat milk, they decided, “Since we already had a small setup, why not turn it into a business that had so much potential?” Their entrepreneurial journey took a decisive turn during the COVID-19 lockdown, when they decided to use their 600 yards of idle land to set up a farm.
They had their first structure made out of bamboo, but it proved inefficient during winters. “Goats stay healthy if the minimum temperature of their shed is never less than 25 degrees Celsius and never more than 35 degrees. Because we didn’t know that, we had an unfortunately high mortality rate in the first year. But we have learnt and grown with the business,” Mannat says. Learning from this experience, they built a more durable concrete structure that provided a stable environment for the animals.
The Saanen goat advantage
As they gained experience, the sisters wanted to specialise their farm. Instead of investing in cross-breed goats, they opted for Saanen goats from Switzerland, known globally for their high milk production. “We started with five Saanen goats, which are quite rare to find in India; now we have around 60 of those, along with a few cross-breeds and some Alpine goats.”
One key factor behind their success is the pricing of their products. They sell goat milk at Rs 400 per litre, significantly lower than the prices in larger cities — Rs 500 in Chandigarh, Rs 600 in Bengaluru, and a whooping Rs 900 in Pune. This price point has attracted a loyal customer base, particularly during the dengue season when demand peaks.
Mannat and Eknoor’s hands-on approach to farming, balanced with their academic responsibilities, has garnered widespread and well deserved recognition in their community. They were the winner of the first Future Tycoons Startup Challenge in 2022, along with a prize of Rs 51,000. “Outside the DC office, there is a wall of fame dedicated to people doing great work in our community, and our picture is up on that wall,” Mannat beams.
Their mother, Ravindar Kaur Mehmi, is immensely proud of her daughters. “I am happy that my daughters have managed to do this without any hesitation and with so much confidence. It’s good that they have occupied themselves and are investing in an interest instead of just being on the phones. And at this age, they are also learning the value of money,” she shares.
Empowering the community through knowledge
Training and knowledge-sharing are important aspects of their business model. “A lot of people got to know about us and wanted to learn about goat farming, so we have a two-day training programme where we teach people how to run it,” Mannat explains. They focus not just on farming techniques but also on the business side of goat farming, covering production, hygiene maintenance, and marketing strategies. “A lot of women and children come, especially girls our own age who saw what we did and were inspired,” Mannat adds.
Looking ahead, the sisters aspire to expand their operations. They aim to incorporate technology to streamline their business, making it more organised and efficient. “We want to make it technology-based,” says Mannat.
Their marketing strategy involves engaging with local customers through social media, door-to-door sales, and collaboration with local doctors who can vouch for the health benefits of goat milk.
“We speak to doctors because they already know the benefits and can help people make more informed decisions,” Mannat explains. They also produce goat milk ghee and paneer, using social media as a primary tool for promotion.
Commitment to organic practices
Sustainability is also a key focus for them. “We grow specialised plants for our goats on our farm, like moringa, and feed them,” Eknoor explains. They ensure that all feed is grown organically, without the use of fertilisers. “We use the goat droppings as fertiliser because it has high nitrogen content, and you need less of it,” Mannat states. Their waste management system allows them to collect the droppings in a way that keeps them pure and uncontaminated.
In rural India, goat milk has historically been a staple due to the animals’ low resource requirements compared to cows. Goats are easier to raise, making them an ideal dairy option for small farmers and herders.
Mannat and Eknoor’s venture not only fulfils a personal need but also contributes to the local economy and promotes healthier dietary choices. The whole family is supportive of their venture, contributing to various tasks. “Everybody is involved somehow,” Mannat notes.
Edited by Arunava Banerjee; All images courtesy Mannat and Eknoor Mehmi
This post was originally published on here
