These two teenagers have turned a family need for goat milk into a successful business in Bahadurgarh, Punjab. Starting with a single goat, they now manage 65 goats of various breeds, producing milk, ghee and paneer.
The townsfolk chuckled, thinking the girls were acting the goat, when two teenage sisters in Bahadurgarh, a township 20km southwest of Patiala city in Punjab, took an unexpected interest in an unlikely venture — rearing the versatile animal. While people saw it as a whimsical folly, 16-year-old Mannat and her 14-year-old sister Eknoor pursued their newfound passion with a seriousness that belied their years.
The two high school students are now making waves with their innovative approach to goat farming. They are the driving force behind India Goat Milk Farm, a successful venture that began with a simple need for goat milk. The idea sprouted four years ago.
“I was sick with jaundice. An elderly man suggested my parents get some goat milk, saying it helps in jaundice,” Mannat recounted. Her father, Harbhajan Singh, then bought a goat for Rs 20,000. This was the modest beginning of what would become a flourishing business.
Singh, an official in the child and women welfare department, oversees the farm, which spans 600 yards and houses 65 goats of various breeds, including Saanen, Alpine, and Toggenburger.
The calm and gentle Saanen goat breed originates from Saanen Valley in Switzerland. They are large, white or cream-coloured, with erect ears and a straight or slightly dished face. On the other hand, Alpines, originally from the French Alps, are well-suited to various climates and environments, and are prolific milk producers. The Toggenburgs, another Swiss native, are also reliable milk producers. All three breeds play a crucial role in the dairy goat industry worldwide.
Mannat and Eknoor are deeply involved in every aspect of the farm’s operations, balancing their studies with their farming duties.
Their mother, Ravinder Kaur, supports the sisters as they manage the daily tasks of milking and feeding the goats, waking up early to ensure everything is done before school. Despite these responsibilities, the girls excel academically, with Mannat recently earning a spot on the merit list for her class 10 results.
The Mehmi family has tapped into the market for goat milk and its derivatives in the area around Patiala. They sell goat milk at Rs 400 a litre, considerably lower than prices in other cities.
“People come to buy goat milk,” Singh said. “During dengue season, the demand goes up. In Chandigarh, this milk sells at Rs 500 a litre, while the price is Rs 600 in Bengaluru and Rs 900 in Pune. We decided to sell it at an affordable price.”
They also produce and sell goat milk ghee and paneer, leveraging social media for marketing. Goat milk ghee, prized for its health benefits, is sold in small 25-gram packs because unlike dairy cattle, goats don’t produce large quantities of milk each day.
“This ghee is good for children, and is sold at around Rs 4,000 a kilo in the market,” Singh said. “We also sell paneer, and social media is very helpful for selling products. In fact, we bought our first goat online.”
The foundation of this business can be traced back to Surjit Kaur, Singh’s mother-in-law. An experienced auxiliary nurse and midwife (ANM), Kaur helped the family navigate their early days of goat farming, especially during the first delivery.
“We got a pregnant goat and had no knowledge about how to handle the delivery and what to do for it,” Singh recalled. “My mother-in-law helped us. She did all the work and we had a baby goat. We named her Bella. Our goat gave us two more babies, and we bought three more,” he said.
The family makes all efforts to ensure the goats are healthy and free from diseases. Mannat and Eknoor are knowledgeable about the necessary vaccines and treatments. “The first vaccine they get is the PPR vaccine for plague, another is for foot and mouth disease, and the third is for ET, like tetanus for goats,” said Eknoor.
“Every third day, we apply lime in the troughs. This kills bacteria and provides calcium to the goats, which keeps them healthy,” explained Mannat. They also emphasise cleanliness during milking, using muslin cloths as strainers to maintain hygiene standards. “The average daily cost of keeping a goat is Rs 60. If we keep more goats, the cost comes down.”
Their father envisions expanding their farm and adopting organic farming techniques. They plan to grow moringa, a nutritious crop, on leased land. This move towards organic farming is part of their broader vision for a sustainable and stress-free life.
The sisters have become role models in their community, offering training sessions to aspiring goat farmers. They dedicate one day a month to meet people and share their knowledge, having trained around 100 so far.
Goat milk has been consumed since ancient times due to its high nutritional value, easier digestibility compared to cow milk, and suitability for people with lactose intolerance. Throughout history, especially in rural areas, goat milk has been a staple due to the ease of raising goats compared to cows. Goats require less space and resources, making them an ideal source of milk for small farmers and herders.
Mahatma Gandhi turned to goat milk later in his life due to health issues — chronic ailments, including digestive problems and anaemia. His preference for goat milk also aligned with his principles of simplicity and self-sufficiency. Goats are low-maintenance animals, and their milk symbolises a simple, rural way of life that Gandhi advocated for.
The lead image on top shows Mannat (left) and her younger sister, Eknoor, with their goats. (Photo by Kiranjit Kaur Jhunir)
Kiranjit Kaur Jhunir is an independent journalist based in Punjab.
