Empowering Rural Livelihoods: Manjulata’s Inspiring Journey

Bhubaneswar(08/03/2025): India’s agricultural landscape is deeply intertwined with animal husbandry, which serves as a lifeline for millions of smallholder farmers.

As the country leads in global milk production, livestock farming plays a crucial role in ensuring food security and boosting rural incomes.

However, this sector faces persistent challenges, including disease outbreaks, high production costs, and inadequate veterinary services, which limit its full potential. In Odisha, where agriculture and allied activities dominate rural livelihoods, animal husbandry remains integral to household economies.

Despite its potential, many farmers struggle with low productivity and financial pressures.

However, thanks to timely interventions and organizations like Reliance Foundation, stories of hope and transformation are emerging. One such remarkable story comes from Rampur village in Balangir district, where Manjulata Patel, a resilient woman farmer, has turned her hardships into a tale of success.

Her journey is an inspiration for many, proving that knowledge and determination can drive real change. Manjulata’s Dream:From Struggle to Success- At 38, Manjulata supports her family of three through integrated farming on her 0.5-acre land.

Her primary livelihood revolves around paddy cultivation and livestock farming, where she rears two Red Sindhi cows and two bulls. However, the path was anything but easy.

Frequent disease outbreaks, especially Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), led to poor health in her livestock, significantly reducing milk production.

With rising veterinary expenses and dwindling income, she considered giving up animal husbandry altogether. Her turning point came in June 2024 when she connected with the Reliance Foundation Information Service through its toll-free helpline (1800 419 8800).

The guidance she received marked the beginning of a transformational journey. Reliance Foundation’s Intervention- Through the RF Digital Farm School, an initiative designed to empower farmers with expert knowledge and real-time advisory, Manjulata gained access to critical livestock management techniques.

The program’s audio advisories, interactive phone-in sessions, and community WhatsApp groups provided her with insights into best practices for animal care, disease prevention, and feed optimization. In July 2024, when her cow developed chest pain and its milk production suddenly dropped, she once again sought advice from the RF helpline.

By following expert recommendations on proper feeding and medication, her cow recovered within a week.

Remarkably, her milk production doubled to 30 liters per day, significantly improving her income. A Journey of Change-Empowered with new knowledge and confidence, Manjulata began implementing best practices in animal husbandry.

The results were remarkable:Increase in Milk Production – Her monthly income skyrocketed from Rs 9,000 to Rs 25,000, greatly improving her family's financial stability. Integrated Farming Approach–She effectively balanced crop cultivation and livestock farming, ensuring sustainability and self-reliance. Community Impact–Inspired by her success, many farmers in her village have now turned to the RF Helpline for guidance, adopting similar best practices. Manjulata’s Reflection… She says, "Earlier, I struggled with my livestock’s health, and it was difficult to find expert advice.

Reliance Foundation’s Digital Farm School and Helpline changed everything.

Today, my farm sustains my family, and I feel empowered to help others in my community.” Her story reflects the broader challenges and opportunities within India’s livestock sector.

With the country producing 221 million tonnes of milk annually, and Odisha contributing 2.5 million tonnes, rural farmers play a crucial role in sustaining this vital industry.

However, access to quality veterinary care, feed, and market linkages remains a significant challenge. A Lifeline for Livelihoods-Manjulata Patel’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of knowledge, innovation, and timely support.

Through Reliance Foundation’s interventions, she not only secured her family’s livelihood but also inspired many others to pursue sustainable livestock farming. Her resilience stands as a beacon of hope, proving that even the most formidable challenges can be overcome with the right guidance and determination.

As rural India continues to evolve, empowering women farmers like Manjulata remains key to building a sustainable and prosperous agricultural future.