Producing 1 to 1.5 Quintals of Milk Daily with 20 Cows and 6 Buffaloes

Strengthening Economy through Dairy Farming: Success Story of Harbhajan Singh from Dehlaan

 Una, July 7: Harbhajan Singh, a 50-year-old progressive farmer from Dehlaan village in Una district, has fortified his family’s economy by operating a dairy farm. Formerly employed in the private sector, Harbhajan Singh now manages 20 cows and 6 buffaloes, producing 1 to 1.5 quintals of milk daily, generating a substantial income. His 19-year-old son Amanveer Singh assists him in this endeavor, and they have also employed a local villager to support the farm operations.

In a conversation with Harbhajan Singh, who has a cheerful and amiable personality, he shared that he has been involved in animal husbandry with his father since childhood. Initially, they worked on a small scale, but over the past four years, they have expanded their dairy operations significantly. Currently, their herd includes 6 Murrah buffaloes and 20 cows of Sahiwal, Jersey, and HF breeds. Each buffalo yields an average of 18 liters of milk, while the cows produce 30 to 35 liters of milk daily. Overall, they produce an average of 1 to 1.5 quintals of milk daily, earning a net profit of about 30 to 35 percent after covering all costs and expenses.

Harbhajan Singh sells most of the milk to Amul Dairy, and local villagers also buy milk directly from their farm. Although selling milk is not a challenge, he feels that large companies like Amul and Verka do not offer prices that reflect the production costs. He believes that with some support from the state government in milk procurement, the dairy farm could yield even higher profits in the future.

Earning Lakhs from Home through Dairy Farming

Harbhajan Singh asserts that if dairy farming is pursued with dedication and hard work, it can generate a significant income from home. He encourages young people to take up dairy farming as it not only offers self-employment opportunities but also ensures a good income. His son is fully involved in running the dairy farm and plans to expand their operations further.

His son has completed his 12th grade and is currently training to be a veterinary pharmacist to gain a better understanding of dairy production intricacies. Harbhajan Singh emphasizes the importance of training workshops organized by the rural animal health and reproduction department to connect youth with dairy production and provide them with technical knowledge.

Senior Veterinary Officer of Una, Dr. Rakesh Bhatti, commended Harbhajan Singh for his exemplary work in dairy production. He mentioned that the government provides various forms of assistance through the department. Harbhajan Singh has benefited from the Kisan Credit Card, receiving financial aid of 1.6 lakh rupees to purchase two milch animals. Additionally, the department offers training and other benefits periodically.

Dr. Bhatti also mentioned plans to include Harbhajan Singh in the Chief Minister’s Self-Employment Scheme and provide modern scientific dairy farming knowledge and training. The state government has also made sex-sorted semen available at every animal husbandry medical center to benefit dairy farmers.

Deputy Commissioner of Una, Jatin Lal, stated that every effort is being made to benefit eligible individuals through the government’s welfare schemes. He has instructed all district officials to ensure the effective implementation of government schemes to connect as many people as possible with these benefits.