From the Dark Shadows of Poverty

I am Suresh Gopinath Khaire. During the worst drought in 1972, my parents migrated to Urulikanchan. After studying upto Standard V, I joined BAIF as a farm labourer and started learning about the benefits of crossbred cows I purchased a heifer from my savings and she gave birth to a female calf. In the next 3-4 years, I had 5-6 crossbred cows in milk production. I left my job and concentrated on dairy husbandry. Being landless, for successful dairy husbandry, production of fodder is essential. I negotiated for cropping of fodder with a large holder who had 10 cows. I took up the work of milking his cows at Rs.200 per cow per month. From my savings, I purchased 150 sq. metre land and constructed a house with 5 rooms and a toilet as well as a cattle shed to house 5 cows. Presently, I have 5 cows and 2 heifers. I sell 45-50 litres of milk every day to the local dairy and earn a net income of Rs.7,000-Rs.8,000 per month. In addition, I earn Rs.3,000-Rs.4,000 per month by milking cows belonging to other farmers. I am able to provide education to my children and save for the future.