Women’s empowerment is often spoken about, but real change is seen in those who break barriers and carve a niche for themselves despite challenges. Amita Naik from Ibrampur, Pernem, is one such woman who, through sheer determination and hard work, has created her own success story in the dairy industry.
A homemaker by background, Amita’s journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t planned. Today, she is known for producing high-quality dairy products from her home, including lassi, ghee, paneer, curd, and even reviving the childhood favourite ‘Pepsi’ (ice candy).
Just a few years ago, Amita and her husband had no concrete plans to venture into dairy farming. Coming from a farming background, they initially focused on cultivating gerbera flowers in a polyhouse with support from their relatives. However, despite their efforts, something always felt missing.
In 2017, the couple decided to buy cows. Since they already had good farmland, growing fodder for the animals wasn’t difficult. They started selling milk — some to local buyers and the rest to Goa Dairy. It’s worth noting that several farmers in Pernem, particularly in villages like Ibrampur, Chandel, Hasapur, Nagzar, and Casarvannem, are engaged in dairy farming and supply large quantities of milk to Goa Dairy. The Naiks joined this network, but they soon realised they weren’t fully satisfied with the returns.
“Selling milk at just Rs 30 per litre didn’t justify the effort and investment we put in,” Amita recalls. They continued in this manner for two years, but the thought of improving their income and future kept lingering.
How the pandemic changed everything
Then came the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which unexpectedly became a blessing in disguise for them. With restrictions in place, demand for milk increased temporarily. However, the couple wondered what would happen once things returned to normal. It was during this time of reflection that they decided to enter value-added dairy production.
“Goa has a huge gap when it comes to locally produced dairy products. Instead of just selling raw milk, we realised we could process it into curd, paneer, and lassi, which would fetch much better returns,” Amita says.
Determined to succeed, Amita underwent training through Lupin Foundation, which helped her understand the technical aspects of dairy production. She also explored various government schemes and subsidies available through the Rural Development Agency (RDA) and Lupin Foundation. These initiatives allowed them to acquire necessary equipment, including a lassi stirrer, testing kits, a paneer-making machine, and sealing machines.
“From 2020 to 2022, we spent time learning the market, understanding our machinery, and sourcing raw materials like packaging materials. It was not an overnight process,” she explains. Amita also connected with suppliers who could provide quality materials for packaging, as dairy production required a reliable supply chain.
After two years of research and preparation, the Naiks finally obtained the necessary approvals from various authorities, including the panchayat and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). With all the groundwork complete, they officially launched their business in the summer of 2023.
What started with just 10 cows has now expanded to a full-fledged dairy business with 25 cows producing 150 litres of milk per day. The Naiks still supply some milk to Goa Dairy, but their primary focus is now on manufacturing and selling their own dairy products.
Under their brand Adishri, they have introduced fresh lassi and curd, which have gained popularity, especially in Bardez. They sell around 1,000 litres of these products regularly, and the demand continues to grow.
However, dairy sales are seasonal. From September to May, demand is high, but during the monsoon months, there is a slowdown in milk product consumption. To make the most of their resources, Amita also started producing vermicompost from cow dung, generating an additional Rs 15,000 per month — a sustainable income source requiring minimal investment.
More than milk: How value addition doubled their income
The decision to shift from raw milk to processed dairy products has paid off. While selling plain milk would fetch only Rs 30 per litre, the same milk processed into curd, paneer, or lassi now brings in nearly Rs 70 per litre, doubling their revenue.
“Looking back, I realise how important it was to take this step. Hard work and perseverance have truly paid off,” says Amita.
Despite her success, Amita acknowledges that local businesses face an ongoing challenge — Goans often prefer well-established brands, many of which come from outside the state.
“Goans still hesitate to support homegrown businesses, but I am optimistic. One day, they will recognise the quality and importance of promoting local entrepreneurs,” she says.
For Amita, this is just the beginning. She and her husband have ambitious plans to expand Adishri, focusing on becoming a major player in Goa’s dairy industry. While they are currently concentrating on paneer, curd, lassi, ghee, and ice candy, they hope to introduce more dairy-based products in the future. After overcoming numerous challenges over the past three years, Amita now stands as a shining example of determination and resilience.
“We have built this market from scratch, and we are determined to take it to new heights. There’s no looking back now,” she concludes with confidence.
