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Seeds of Change, Dreams in Progress: The Journey of Hope with Kunta

-By Shahira Thapa

Kunta Devi Adhikari, a determined mother of four from Damar in the Model Dairy Village, knows what it means to dream against the odds. Living with her husband, four children, and mother-in-law, she once faced daily challenges that made those dreams feel distant. But everything began to change when she joined a Self-Help Group supported by the Milky Way Project—an initiative that uplifts smallholder farmers, especially women, by boosting milk production, improving quality, and expanding market access. With access to training, dairy resources, and cooperative support, Kunta found the tools and confidence to transform her family’s future.

Kunta’s journey began in 2022 when she joined Damar Mahila Udhami Swabhalambi Samuha, a women’s self-help group. The group later joined forces with others to form the Shree Kamalamai Social Entrepreneurs Women’s Dairy Cooperative, opening doors to shared resources, training, and new opportunities.

Last September, she received a Korean Holstein calf through the Passing on the Gift (POG). She named her Sarangi—a symbol of new beginnings and hope.

“This year has been a blessing,” she says. “We’ve learned so much and feel supported every step of the way.”

Through the project, Kunta didn’t just receive a cow — she gained access to knowledge, tools, and community support.

She built an improved animal shed and received training in shed management, animal health, and climate-smart agriculture. She learned to make silage, grow nutritious fodder, and use a mobile app to track her animals’ health and productivity.

With seasonal forage saplings from the dairy cooperative, she now grows her own cattle feed — reducing costs and improving animal nutrition. A new water tank and tap connection eliminated hours spent fetching water, freeing up time for more productive tasks.

The once-broken biogas system was also revived. Now, animal waste fuels her kitchen and fertilizes her vegetable garden — turning waste into wealth and easing household expenses.

“Cooking with biogas again has been such a relief,” she shares. “It’s cost-effective and eco-friendly.”

Though Sarangi is still a calf, Kunta is already dreaming big. She envisions a thriving dairy farm, a steady income, and a future where her children can pursue their education without worry. Most of all, she feels empowered.

“Now I feel confident and capable.”

Her income tells the story of progress: Kunta now earns up to NPR 40,000 per month from her local cows. When Sarangi begins milk production, she expects that to rise even further.

Previously, she sold milk for NPR 60 per liter — regardless of quality. Now, through the cooperative’s milk collection center, her milk is evaluated by fat and SNF (solids-not-fat) content, ensuring fair pricing as per Nepal Dairy Development Board standards. 

She says, “Before, I sold milk without knowing anything about its quality. Now, I understand what I’m selling — and I’m paid fairly and on time.”

Before joining the project, Kunta and her husband, both full-time farmers, owned two local cows and 15 goats. Their biogas system had stopped working, and daily survival was a struggle. Despite limited formal education, they remained committed to their children’s future — one is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree, and the others are in school.

The project became a turning point. Kunta received:

• A clean, well-ventilated improved shed
  
• Training in animal care and shed management
  
• Education in climate-smart farming
  
• Seasonal forage support and silage-making
  
• Improved feed and nutrition techniques
  
• Regular veterinary services
  
• Financial literacy training
  
• Mobile app training for livestock monitoring
  

These interventions helped her modernize her farm and manage it more efficiently.

Reviving the biogas system was a major achievement. With support, she built a waste collection pit to convert animal waste into organic fertilizer — enabling her to grow vegetables in rich soil, reduce cooking costs, and eliminate LPG use.

“Everything — for me, my family, and even my animals — has changed. We’re learning and growing together.”

Today, clean water is accessible right at the shed. No more back-and-forth trips to fetch water for bathing cattle or cleaning — giving her more time for farming and family.

“I have more energy and time for everything else now,” she says.

Kunta’s success is inspiring others. Neighbors who once doubted the value of joining a self-help group now seek her advice. She has become a mentor in her community — generously sharing what she’s learned.

“One day, I wish to pass on the gift I received — so another family can find hope, dream, and be motivated to dream even bigger, just like we did.”

Kunta’s journey is more than personal progress — it’s a blueprint for rural transformation. When women are empowered with the right tools, training, and support, they don’t just thrive — they uplift their communities.