Bandipora, Aug 11: When Mumtaza started her livestock venture in 2020, she had just 20 sheep and a simple determination to build something of her own.
Today, that modest beginning has grown into a thriving sheep farm with nearly 500 animals, a journey she says was made possible by hard work, family support and timely guidance from the Animal Husbandry Department.
For Mumtaza, the journey did not begin with a big business plan. It began after her education, when a government job failed to come her way. "I didn’t wait for a job. I thought, why not do something on my own?” she recalls.
With the support of her family, husband and in-laws, she decided to step into livestock farming. The Animal Husbandry Department provided her with a sheep unit, while officials continued to visit the farm and guide her whenever needed.
What started with 20 sheep gradually expanded through persistence and reinvestment. Today, Mumtaza proudly looks after nearly 500 sheep.
But for her, the real success of the farm is not measured only by the number of animals.
The farm has also become a source of livelihood for others. People are employed for cleaning the farm, removing manure, feeding the animals and carrying out other daily tasks. "I didn’t just create employment for myself; I also created opportunities for others to earn a livelihood," she says.
Behind the numbers is a story of a woman who chose to move forward when opportunities seemed limited.
Mumtaza believes that women, particularly those who spend most of their time confined to household responsibilities, should also look beyond the kitchen and explore the opportunities available through government schemes.
"Where women are often confined to household work, they should come forward and take advantage of government schemes. They should do something for themselves, for their families, and also create employment opportunities for others.," she says.
Her message to other women is simple: "Do not be afraid to start. Come forward. Take advantage of government schemes, just as I did. Leave your hesitation behind, work hard, and move forward."
For Mumtaza, the rewards of her hard work have gone far beyond financial independence. The income from the farm helped her educate and support her children and gave her family a better future.
And then came a blessing she considers among the most precious achievements of her life — she was able to perform Umrah twice through the earnings of her work.
From a small flock of 20 sheep to nearly 500, Mumtaza’s story is not merely about livestock farming. It is about refusing to wait for an opportunity and instead creating one.
Her journey also highlights how government support, when combined with individual determination and family encouragement, can help women turn small beginnings into sustainable livelihoods.
Today, she has a message for women across Jammu and Kashmir: "There are many schemes available today. Go, take advantage of them and start your own work. The beginning may be small, but if you keep working hard, you can achieve great things."
Mumtaza’s 20 sheep were once just a beginning. Five hundred today stand as a reminder that sometimes, all it takes to change a life is the courage to take the first step.
