This female dairy entrepreneur from Meghalaya breaks free of stereotypes

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SHILLONG | FEATURE

It is common knowledge that dairy farming is not as easy as it looks. But Ritihun Kharbani of Sangriang village, 17 kilometres from Nongstoin, took up the profession to support her family.

She started her dairy farm back in 2012 with the help of her husband, Balarian Iawlar. The couple initially applied for financial assistance through the veterinary department but were turned down.

Though the journey was arduous at first, her sheer will and determination, combined with her family’s support, led her to achieve what she had set out to do.

Kharbani is now a well-known milk supplier in Nongstoin, with a dairy farm comprising seven milking cows.

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The daily average milk production from her farm is over 50 litres per day.

Kharbani also rents a small shop in Nongstoin market, which she uses to store milk from her farm and another supplier.

With the combined stock, she is able to supply over 160 litres of milk to Nongstoin town daily.

While speaking to TNT-The Northeast Today, Kharbani stated that besides the employees, her husband and children also help her at the farm with various tasks including cleaning, milking, feeding the cows and cutting grass.

But when it comes to milk distribution, Kharbani prefers to do it herself.

We supply most of the milk to tea stalls in Nonbah area (Nongstoin Market) besides delivering to households, she said.

She furthers stated that she looks forward to expanding her farm to increase milk production and to meet the requirement in Nongstoin.