(NTI): Founded in 2013, Shraddha Farms began its journey in the small village of Nighoj in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. The dairy startup specializes in producing and supplying buffalo milk, paneer, and ghee to various dairies, retail shops, and individual customers.
The Beginnings
Imagine a schoolgirl enjoying a carefree summer vacation, relishing the freedom from schoolwork. For Shraddha Dhawan, however, her summer after 10th grade was anything but idle. Rather than spending her days in relaxation, Shraddha felt a drive to create something meaningful.
Growing up in a family that valued hard work and enterprise, Shraddha found herself restless with the thought of wasting time. Her father, engaged in a small cattle trading business, kept several buffaloes at home and operated a small farm for them. Inspired by her father’s work, Shraddha decided to use her summer to learn about the cattle trade.
She began by helping her father with the cattle business, learning how to select the best buffaloes, negotiate prices, and manage the trade. With this knowledge, she decided to launch her own dairy business using the buffaloes from her family farm.
Building the Dairy
Starting with the buffaloes at home, Shraddha began researching and selecting a local dairy to sell her milk. The early days were challenging as she juggled her dairy business with her academic responsibilities. She would wake up at 4 AM to tend to the buffaloes, milk them, and transport the milk using her father’s bike, all before heading to college.
Despite the tough schedule, Shraddha remained dedicated. By 2017, Shraddha Farms had expanded to include 25 to 30 buffaloes, and she was able to hire additional help as the business grew.
Navigating Challenges
The COVID-19 pandemic brought its own set of difficulties. Despite dairy products being deemed essential, roadblocks during the lockdown and a decrease in milk prices posed significant challenges. Nonetheless, Shraddha Farms persevered and managed to recover from these setbacks.
Growth and Achievements
Today, Shraddha Farms boasts a herd of 130 buffaloes and a diverse product range, including milk, ghee, butter, lassi, buttermilk, and curd— all 100% natural and free from additives. The farm has also implemented a 1-tonne biogas project, generating electricity and producing fertilizer from waste, which is sold to farmers and agricultural companies.
While Shraddha Farms is not yet available on e-commerce platforms, it has begun selling products across India via postal services. In FY24, the farm earned an impressive Rs 1 crore from its dairy business and has built a community of around 8 lakh people, including customers, partners, and social media followers.
Future Goals
Looking ahead, Shraddha Dhawan aims to promote ethical and sustainable dairy practices. She plans to educate farmers on the benefits of collective selling to improve their income and protect them from exploitation by private companies. Shraddha advocates for fair prices and better returns for local farmers, hoping to uplift their livelihoods through her initiatives.
Shraddha Farms not only represents a personal triumph but also stands as a beacon of hard work, resilience, and community support in the dairy industry.
