In India, the livestock sector contributes 4.5 per cent to the GDP and about 30 per cent to the GDP from the agriculture sector. (https://krishi.outlookindia.com/story/pastoralists-original-livestock-keepers-of-civilisation-pushed-to-margins/392261)

In most cases, it is found that the women do the lion’s share of work in the sector. From rearing to taking care of the animals, rural Indian women play an active role alongside their menfolk.

But do they get their due? Not just in the form of recognition or praise or applause. What about the financial reward for her hard work?

Goat farming remains one of the least recognised sector in the agriculture economy, and awareness of the role of women remains low.

Executives of Village Financial Services called up one of our budding entrepreneurs who has been doing well rearing goats. Rimpa Manna was hurrying to the nearest VFS branch at Pancharul in Howrah.

Rimpa has been a valuable customer of VFS who is completing her 3rd loan cycle and is planning to apply for the next step in the loan scheme. A resident of Shibpur village, Rimpa has been looking after her husband’s livestock business for the last few years. Rimpa’s husband has gladly let her take the reins from him as she is more suited for the job. But this transfer of power came after a lot of hardships.

Bablu Manna had been keen to rear farm animals as a teenager. Guided by village elders, Bablu stepped into livestock farming right after high school. The initial success had given Bablu the confidence to move ahead with other life decisions. Rimpa, his wife, had been a constant and supportive partner in all his life decisions. Ups and downs, they continued to weather it all. Until tragedy struck.

One morning, Bablu woke up to the news that some farm animals in the village had died overnight. It was strange flu that affected goats and cattle. His goats were also affected, although they did not show it that day. As the days passed, his goats died one by one. Bablu was shattered. The debts mounted, and so did the stress on the household. The parents began to think of pulling their children out of school.

Rimpa was heartbroken but not broken in spirit. The mother in her knew that she had to turn fate for her husband and her children. Rimpa stepped in and decided to restart the business.

On a neighbour’s advice, she went to the VFS office at Pancharul and applied for a loan. The money in the bank boosted her confidence, and she took a series of steps.

She went to a nearby village, where a livestock sale was being held. Rimpa realised it was better to pick an animal she had handled. She returned with a female goat in her arms.

On that day, Rimpa became an independent goat farmer. Her tribe of goats multiplied and fetched a decent income when she sold a goat for meat.

Bablu saw how Rimpa was proving a better businessperson than him. He was proud of his wife’s success. Most importantly, the children would not have to drop out of school.

One of the biggest boons of microfinance has been securing a healthy life for the future generation. Through mothers like Rimpa, many children today are assured of education, which gives them more economic opportunities.