🐄 From Banker to Dairy Entrepreneur: How Banashree Built a Thriving Cooperative from Scratch

In a story that underscores grit, innovation, and community empowerment, Banashree, a former banking professional, has emerged as a shining example of grassroots entrepreneurship in India’s dairy sector.

Her journey began in 2020 when she left her job to start a modest farm in her native village. Using her personal savings, she invested in three Jersey cows, 15 goats, along with ducks and chickens. She even built sheds for her livestock—despite having no prior experience in animal husbandry.

However, the path was anything but easy. Early resistance from neighbours due to concerns about odour forced her to relocate. Undeterred, Banashree leased 20 bighas of isolated land, where she began again—this time reviving five neglected fisheries on the plot with an investment of ₹6–7 lakh.

“I had no background in farming. I just kept visiting other farms to learn—sometimes I was welcomed, sometimes turned away. But I didn’t stop,” says Banashree.

Through hands-on learning and sheer persistence, her livestock flourished. Today, she manages a growing herd of 20 Jersey and Holstein Friesian cows, 40 goats, and hundreds of poultry birds. Remarkably, all calves born so far have been female, helping her organically scale her dairy operations.

In 2024, Banashree took a leap toward sustainable growth by founding the Bogi Farmhouse Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited. This women-led dairy cooperative not only supplies fresh milk but also produces value-added dairy products like lassi, milkshakes, and ice cream.

With a current daily milk output of 110–120 litres, the cooperative plays a vital role in enhancing rural dairy livelihoods while contributing to the larger Indian dairy industry ecosystem.

Banashree’s story exemplifies the rise of women-led agripreneurship, dairy cooperative innovation, and rural dairy transformation—setting a benchmark for sustainable dairy farming in India.