In Bihar's Sitamarhi district, Samita Devi has shown that dairy farming can turn into a dependable source of income even without a big upfront investment. She started her venture with just one cow, and that modest beginning has since grown into the financial backbone of her household. Careful management, smart reinvestment and consistent hard work now bring her a monthly income of between 16,000 and 22,000 rupees.
One cow, then a growing herd
Samita Devi says she bought her first cow back in 2020. In the early days, instead of spending whatever she earned from selling milk, she saved it. That saved money later helped her buy a second cow. As her confidence grew, so did the size of her herd.
Four cattle today, three of them giving milk
She currently owns four cattle in total. Two of the cows are pregnant, while the remaining three are giving milk regularly. She sells this milk directly in the local market, which brings in a steady monthly income and comfortably supports her family's livelihood.
A zero waste model that also turns cow dung into profit
What sets Samita Devi's business apart is that she does not rely on milk sales alone. She makes full use of the cow dung her animals produce, using it as organic fertiliser for her vegetable crops. This has sharply cut down her need to buy expensive chemical fertilisers from the market. She still has to buy some additional fertiliser to supply certain other nutrients her crops need, but the easy availability of dung has meaningfully lowered her overall farming costs. In this way, her dairy work and her farming now support each other, milk sales provide a regular income while cow dung reduces farming expenses, giving her a double economic benefit.
Plans to expand with help from Jeevika
Samita Devi now wants to expand her dairy business further. To do this, she has been working with the Bihar government's Jeevika scheme, the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project. She says that if she receives financial support and technical training through a Jeevika group, she will increase the number of cattle she keeps and also raise her milk output.
An example for rural women
Samita Devi's story shows that with the right planning, hard work and smart use of available resources, animal husbandry can be turned into a profitable business even with a small initial investment. Her journey offers a lesson for rural women and farmers who want to become financially strong and self-reliant through traditional occupations.
