Rs 80 lakh from milk: Meet the two women from Karnataka and Kerala who got best dairy farmer awards

Two women dairy farmers were honored at the Southern Dairy Summit-2025 on Saturday for their achievements in milk production. The summit, organized by the Indian Dairy Association (south zone), recognized one farmer from each southern state. Mangalamma, from Dinka village in Karnataka, earned Rs 30 lakh last year, while Vidhu Rajeev from Kerala was also recognized for producing over 1 lakh litres of milk last year, earning Rs 50 lakh, a TOI report stated. Mangalamma, a 47-year-old dairy farmer from Dinka village, Mandya district, has become a symbol of success in Karnataka's dairy farming sector.

A Steady Rise in Dairy Farming

Mangalamma’s journey began with just a few cows on a one-gunta farm. Two decades ago, she and her husband decided to venture into dairy farming. Despite having no initial investment, they attended seminars and researched scientific methods to increase milk production. “We researched, attended seminars and learnt scientific management to produce better yield. Initially, we had no investment, so we started small. Now, we have implemented almost every scientific method used in dairy farming, including a milking machine and a meticulously planned feeding regime,” she said.

Today, Mangalamma’s herd consists of 30 cows and two buffaloes, producing around 300 litres of milk daily. Her cattle are fed a carefully planned diet, which includes grains like maize, nutritious feed like hindi (oil cake), and locally available ingredients such as kadle (groundnuts) and sorghum fodder. “This combination ensures the cows stay healthy and produce good quality milk. It's like our secret recipe for success,” she added.

Impact on the Local Economy

Mangalamma’s success has extended beyond her own family. Her business has provided employment to three other families in the village, positively impacting the local economy. “I hope the story about my efforts reaches aspiring dairy farmers and together, we can create a community that helps each other,” she concluded.

Recognition at Southern Dairy Summit-2025

At the Southern Dairy Summit-2025, Mangalamma was honored as the ‘Best Dairy Farmer from Karnataka’ by the Indian Dairy Association (South Zone). Her achievement was celebrated alongside other women dairy farmers from southern India, including Vidhu Rajeev from Kerala, who earned Rs 50 lakh last year by selling milk from her 50 milking animals.

Farmer from Kerala earned Rs 50 lakh

Vidhu Rajeev from Kottayam, Kerala, was also recognized for her contribution to dairy farming. She produced over 1 lakh litres of milk last year, earning Rs 50 lakh by supplying it to the Kerala Dairy Development Department. Vidhu attributes her success to scientific management practices, including an automatic drinking system for cows, ventilation fans, and temperature control. “Sustainability is central for us — biogas from cattle dung powers my kitchen, while manure is sold at Rs 40 per kg, and slurry is used as fertilizer for our paddy fields,” she said. Vidhu plans to expand her business further in the future.