Mumtaza Begum’s Inspiring Journey: From Housewife to Successful Sheep Rearer

Abdul Basit
Bandipora, July 31: From a simple housewife to a successful Sheep Rearer, Mumtaza Begum had an extremely long walk to freedom- a freedom from economic burdens.

In a remarkable tale of women's empowerment, Mumtaza Begum, a 34-year-old housewife and former college student from Sheikpal Watrina area in District Bandipora, has defied gender norms and transformed her life through sheep rearing.

Early in 2020, Mumtaza Begum approached the Sheep Husbandry Department of Bandipora with a strong determination to earn a livelihood.

Recognizing her potential and dedication, the department extended its unwavering support and enrolled her in the Integrated Sheep Development Scheme (ISDS).

As part of the scheme, Mumtaza was provided with a unit of 50 ewe sheep, marking the beginning of her journey towards success and empowerment.

She recalled that this crucial support from the department paved the way for her transformation from a housewife to a thriving entrepreneur in the sheep rearing business.

Three years down the line, Mumtaza's sheep farm stands as a testament to her relentless dedication and hard work, flourishing with a remarkable count of over 250 sheep besides selling dozens of sheep contributing considerably to the mutton market.

Beyond securing a sustainable livelihood for her family, Mumtaza  is providing employment opportunities to three men who work on her farm, each earning a monthly salary of about Ten Thousand rupees  Rs. 9000.

Through her extra-ordinary efforts, Mumtaza has not only transformed her own fate but has also become an inspiration for other women to seize opportunities and embrace the schemes made available by the UT government of Jammu and Kashmir.

During recent Eid-Azha, Mumtaza's farm saw the successful sale of more than 100 sheep, a testament to her flourishing business. Speaking proudly, Mumtaza's husband expressed his gratitude to the Sheep Husbandry Department, acknowledging the crucial role of their timely assistance in their journey.

Just a few years ago, Mumtaza and her husband, Fayaz, faced severe financial challenges. However, with their foray into sheep husbandry, they have now found stability and prosperity. Both Mumtaza and Fayaz are deeply involved in their sheep husbandry business, actively contributing to its growth and success.

Mumtaza credits the Sheep Husbandry Department for being a pillar of support whenever needed. With her husband's encouragement, she wholeheartedly embraced this opportunity and now urges other women to seize the schemes made available by the UT government of Jammu and Kashmir. Her inspiring story showcases the immense potential and opportunities that lie in harnessing agricultural activities in the region.

Bandipora has become a beacon of hope for women's empowerment  as more and more women are taking up sheep rearing as a source of income and livelihood.

Thanks to government handholding schemes and liberal funding for women empowerment schemes post 2019, these women are not only becoming self-sufficient but also creating job opportunities for others in their communities.

Sheep rearing has proven to be of immense value to the weaker sections of society, offering multiple benefits such as wool, meat, skin, and manure production. Recognizing this potential, the state has introduced various development activities and schemes to promote intensive sheep development.

         As per officials, In December 2022, the Kashmir Valley's sheep population was recorded at 1912611, with 70,033 breeders. District Baramulla stood out with the highest sheep population of 2.86 lakh and 11,500 breeders among the ten districts in the valley.

Mutton holds significant importance in Kashmiri cuisine, with consumption ranging from 500 to 600 lakh kg, while local production reaches 300 to 350 lakh kg. This disparity leads to an annual import of 200 to 250 lakh kg, resulting in an import bill of Rs. 1,400 crore.

To address this issue, in February 2023, the government of JK sanctioned a five-year project (2023-2028) with a budget of Rs. 329 crore. The project aims to achieve self-sufficiency in mutton production, create 6,000 job opportunities, and benefit sheep rearers, butchers, and consumers, contributing to the overall development of JK.

Commonly reared sheep breeds include Gurazi, Karnahi, Bakerwali, and Poonchi.

Bandipora, with its picturesque beauty nestled in the foothills of snow-clad peaks of Harmukh and overlooking Wullar Lake, offers tremendous potential for sheep farming and allied agricultural activities. The district covers an area of 398sqkm, and continuous efforts are being made to further boost this sector.

 

This heartening tale of women's empowerment through sheep rearing showcases the power of determination, government support, and the opportunities that lie in harnessing the potential of agricultural activities in the region.

During the conversation with Kashmir Convener DSHO Peer Irshad, he revealed that District Bandipora boasts more than 200 sheep farms and has around 700 individual traditional farmers.

When discussing the Mumtza’s, he emphasized that the success of a farm should not solely be measured by the number of sheep it has, but rather by the yearly production of lambs and its contribution to the mutton sector.

Fortunately, all farms in the Bandipora district are thriving, as the Kashmir valley has a high demand for mutton, ensuring that every farmer, whether established through the department or independently, is making remarkable progress.

Moreover, DSHO Peer Irshad mentioned that this year, they plan to sanction 20 sheep farms under various schemes with subsidies, providing support to farmers. Additionally, they will approve 25 sheep farms completely free of cost under the ISGS scheme, further aiding the farming community in their endeavors.

“District Bandipora's sheep farming industry is thriving, focusing on quality production and contribution to the mutton sector, while also offering support through subsidized and free-of-cost schemes to encourage progress and development,” he said.