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The Adhikari Family’s Radiant Dairy Winner  

-By Nabina Basnet

Name: Rukmani Adhikari 
Address: Gaiyatar, Kamalamai Municipality 5, Sindhuli, 
Family Members: 5; (husband and wife and 3 children)

Summary: 
Despite having no formal education, Rukmani Adhikari has become a successful entrepreneur, running a small cow farm in Sindhuli that sustains her family of five. After losing her farm and chickens in the 2015 earthquake, Rukmani’s resilient spirit led her to focus on cow farming. Starting from scratch, her determination paid off when she received Holstein cows from Heifer Korea, transforming her farm into a beacon of hope. Now, she is confident that her hard work will continue to secure her family’s future and happiness. 

“Every morning starts with a prayer and the sacred ritual of placing tika on my cows. They are not just animals; they are the heartbeat of my family, nurturing our dreams and granting me the strength of independence.” – Rukmani Adhikari

Background & Journey:
Rukmani, a name that means “radiant” and “shining brightly like gold,” truly reflects the woman who bears it. Rukmani Adhikari, with her glowing personality and bright smile, embodies this name perfectly as she runs a small cow farm in Sindhuli. Despite not having a strong educational background or formal qualifications, Rukmani has become a successful entrepreneur. With no other source of income, Rukmani’s family of five; her three children and husband depend entirely on her and the income from her cow farming to cover expenses and education. Each day, she rises early, tending to her cows with immense love and dedication, fully aware that they are the lifeline supporting her family’s dreams and future.   

Since getting married, Rukmani has devoted herself to agriculture, starting with vegetable farming and then raising chickens. However, the 2015 earthquake destroyed her farm and killed all her chickens, but Rukmani’s spirit remained unbroken. After the earthquake, Rukmani shifted to raising cows and buffaloes, starting with just 2 to 4 liters of milk daily. Despite the modest yield, she diligently delivered the milk door to door, ensuring her family had a steady income to meet their needs and keep them going.  

Heifer Intervention:  
Rukmani’s perseverance truly paid off when she became one of the lucky recipients of two Holstein cows from Korea. Now, both cows have given birth, and one produces an incredible 28-30 liters of milk daily, significantly increasing her income. Reflecting on her journey, Rukmani shares, “Previously, I had to keep 8-9 cows to get this much milk. Now, with just a few Holsteins, I’ve achieved so much more.”  

Future Aspirations:
Having been at this for a while now, Rukmani is confident that the income from raising cows will support her children’s education and future marriages. The stability it provides gives her hope, and she plans to continue. She dreams of replacing her local cows with Holsteins to further support her family. With a radiant smile and unfaltering dedication, Rukmani continues to work tirelessly, dreaming of a happy and fulfilled future for her family. 

Final Thoughts:  
Rukmani feels deeply grateful for the support from Heifer and the local government, which helped her build a better shed, adopt the cleanliness and feeding routines, improve her farm, and secure a brighter future for her family. The support has instilled in her a profound sense of empowerment and independence. Her journey from vegetable farming to becoming a successful dairy farmer is a true demonstration of her resilience, determination, and the radiant spirit that shines through her, just like her name.