From Struggles to Strength

Sulekha Naik’s Journey to Independence through Poultry and Goat Farming

Three years ago, Sulekha Naik, a woman from Nafri Village, would never have imagined that she could independently run her own enterprise, let alone become a role model in her community. With no prior source of income and lacking the skills needed to start a business, she felt uncertain about her future. But through the unwavering support of NYDHEE, a local NGO, Sulekha transformed her life—building not only a thriving poultry and goat farming business but also finding the strength and confidence to take control of her own destiny.

The Early Days: Facing Struggles and Uncertainty

Sulekha’s journey began in difficult circumstances. Without any source of income, her family was struggling to make ends meet. She knew she wanted to contribute but felt constrained by her lack of skills and experience. The notion of starting an enterprise seemed overwhelming, and she, like many women in her village, was uncertain about her capabilities. However, everything began to change when she got involved with NYDHEE.

NYDHEE provided Sulekha with a series of training programs focused on empowering women to explore entrepreneurial opportunities, including poultry farming. Initially, she lacked the confidence to believe she could succeed in an enterprise traditionally dominated by men. However, through each session, Sulekha slowly began to realize that she, too, was capable of running her own business. The trainings gave her technical knowledge but, more importantly, instilled a belief in herself.

Building Confidence and Overcoming Setbacks

With newfound confidence, Sulekha decided to start a poultry farming unit. While the first steps were challenging, she remained determined. She faced numerous struggles, particularly with maintaining the health and survival of her chickens. Lacking experience in best practices for poultry farming, she lost a few birds in the early days. But NYDHEE’s follow-up training sessions proved invaluable, helping her reduce mortality rates and build a sustainable farming operation.

Through perseverance, Sulekha’s poultry business grew. Today, she has over 60 chickens, and in the past year alone, she sold 22 birds. Her success in poultry farming has fueled her passion for animal husbandry and encouraged her to diversify into goat rearing.

Expanding into Goat Rearing: A Path to Stability

Sulekha’s decision to expand into goat rearing came with its own set of challenges. In the early stages, she lost two goats due to illness, unaware of the critical need for regular vaccinations. But with the support of NYDHEEs Community Agro-Veterinary Entrepreneur (CAVE) vaccinator, Sulekha gained access to regular immunizations for her animals, including PPR and other essential vaccines. Since then, there have been no deaths among her goats, and her herd has flourished.

Today, Sulekha proudly cares for 20 goats. She has sold her Khasi goats three times in the last year and a half, earning an impressive ₹30,000 in income. This steady revenue stream has made her financially independent, giving her a newfound sense of pride and accomplishment.

A Better Life for Her Family

Sulekha’s success in poultry and goat farming has had a profound impact on her family’s well-being. The financial stability she has achieved has allowed her to start repairing her home—a dream she once thought was out of reach. But perhaps the most meaningful outcome of her success is the ability to provide medical treatment for her young child, who has Down syndrome and struggles with speech impairment. The income from her farming ventures has enabled Sulekha to invest in her child’s treatment, giving her hope for a brighter future for her family.

Strength in Every Step Forward

Sulekha Naik’s story is one of courage, resilience, and self-empowerment. She began her journey with no income, little confidence, and no technical skills. Through hard work and the support of NYDHEE, she has not only built a successful farming enterprise but also gained the independence and confidence to shape her own future.

Her journey is far from over, but with every step she takes, she becomes stronger—an example to other women in her village that with determination, collective support, and self-belief, anything is possible. Today, Sulekha stands as a beacon of hope for other women, showing them that even in the face of struggles, one can find the strength to build a better, brighter tomorrow.