Bucking the Odds: Shahnaj's Goat Rearing Success Story

Shahnaj is an aspiring woman member of a Self-Help Group (SHG) in Gagwana village, Ajmer district, Rajasthan. The SHGs are promoted by Manjari Foundation under the Sakhi Project.

After her marriage, she moved to her in-laws' house, where she lived with her husband, children, and other family members. Shahnaj, who studied up to 10th grade, had dreamed of joining a paid job, earning for her family, and becoming an entrepreneur.

When she arrived at her in-laws' house, she had no freedom to go out or engage in paid work. However, she learned about SHGs being formed in her village and joined one, with the condition that meetings would be held at home.

Shahnaj joined the SHG and slowly understood the importance of savings and credit for starting a business and expanding income. About five years ago, she and her husband started a small poultry farm with 2,000 chicks.

As part of SHG training and exposure, Manjari Foundation facilitated capacity building trainings and exposure tours to other well-functioning institutions and locations.

During one of her exposure visits, she got an idea of adding goat rearing as livelihood activity and planned to add few goat bucks. She applied for loan to her SHG and also to federation and with this loan amount she added 5 goats initially of different varieties like Sirohi breed. The number of goats started increasing and presently she has 10 goats.

In between, during Eid season, the family sells about 7-8 goats every year earning averaging income of Rs. 70,000 a year.

As Shahnaj and her family started earning more and had a good experience, she began investing more in growth of her poultry. She took a loan of Rs. 50,000 from Rang De and Rs. 1,00,000 from federation and her Village organization to expand number of chicks in her poultry. The number of chicks has grown to 4,000 presently. The average monthly income is about 30,000 from sell of chicken to vendor. Also, has been able to employ 3-4 people in managing various tasks in this livelihood activity.

She cites the various challenges like epidemics and diseases that she has to guard her livestock against. Timely vaccination, good care, and proper feeding is the key for growth and ensuring good returns.

Shahnaj is thankful for the opportunities she received through being part of SHG and Manjari Foundation, as well as access to Rang De credit support, which has helped her fulfill her dream.

Over the time, Shahnaj has grown personally and could witness change in her skills and leadership qualities. She is now a Samuh Sakhi managing 11 self help groups in her village and also guiding other women to pursue their dreams of self employment. She is now confident and plans to expand this poultry and goat rearing activity to the next level employing more people from her village.