In 2022, Rupa Devi and a group of dedicated livestock farmers came together to form Laxmi Pashupalan Utpadak Samuh, a producer group committed to strengthening livestock-based livelihoods in the Katoria block. During this period, Rupa came across the HDFC Udyame project, which promotes women entrepreneurs, and she seized the chance to turn her passion for goat rearing into a sustainable enterprise.
With the support of the project and continuous technical guidance, Rupa established “कात्यायनी बीडर फार्म” in October 2023, with the powerful tagline “उन्नत नस्ल हमारी गारंटी” (“Superior Breeds, Our Guarantee”). The farm started with 20 goats and 2 breeding bucks, focusing on producing pure Black Bengal goats, known for their meat quality and resilience.
A turning point in Rupa’s journey came with the strong institutional support she received. KVK Katoria, under the guidance of Dr. Sanjit Kumar, SMS (Veterinary Pathology), played a crucial role in building her technical capacity. Through regular training programs conducted in collaboration with PRADAN, Rupa gained deep knowledge in disease prevention, scientific farm management, vaccination schedules, deworming, and veterinary first aid. These trainings helped her adopt advanced practices that significantly reduced mortality and improved herd productivity.
Alongside this, the Block Animal Husbandry Office provided timely field visits and continuous telephonic guidance, ensuring that Rupa could access expert advice whenever required. This responsive support system strengthened her confidence and enabled her to handle emergencies effectively at the farm.
With improved management and scientific practices, कात्यायनी बीडर फार्म soon began to flourish. Within months, Rupa witnessed remarkable growth, with 30 healthy new kids born on the farm, reflecting the success of her breeding program. Her farm has now become a learning site for other farmers in the region who wish to improve breed quality and adopt scientific goat rearing methods.
Recognizing her dedication and expertise, Pashupalan Vistar Samithi has onboarded her farm as a business partner. The Samithi collaborates with her farm for selling and purchasing quality breeds and also leverages her support in providing basic veterinary care services to member farmers.
Rupa Devi’s journey is not just about building a successful enterprise—it is about transforming the livestock ecosystem of her community. With her determination, scientific knowledge, and institutional support, she has become a role model for women farmers. Her story proves that when rural women receive the right training, guidance, and opportunities, they can break barriers, lead enterprises, and inspire change across their villages.
कात्यायनी बीडर फार्म stands today as a testament to how tradition, when supported by innovation and strong institutions, can give rise to a powerful model of rural entrepreneurship.