Jayanti Mahapatra's Goat Bank Empowers Women in Rural India

Jayanti's journey began in the humble state of Odisha. She had a small but revolutionary idea that changed the lives of the village women – the Goat Bank. Her brainchild was all about empowering women and transforming their lives. 

She witnessed the plight of women burdened by poverty and superstition and wanted to make a difference. It was 2015, and after years dedicated to the corporate sector, the yearning to empower her community burned brighter than ever.

Goats Bank: Building a Sustainable Future

Jayanti's vision was simple yet powerful: provide women with a stable source of income and unshackle them from societal constraints. The Goat Bank, named Manikstu Agro, is not just a bank but a support system. Women, forming a staggering 70% of the workforce, received not just the goats but also training in rearing, medication, and fodder collection. The women workers are also educated about the marketing procedure and how to set the rates as per market standards.

Her venture ensured that her employees were earning a decent income. She did not want her fellow villagers to settle for some low-paying job.

Breaking Barriers and Building Confidence

The Goat Bank is not about financial empowerment, it is a force that dismantles social constructs. Women actively participating in goat rearing shattered the shackles of superstition and societal judgments. They became the driving force behind the initiative, their confidence soaring with every successful breeding cycle.

What were the Major Challenges?

Jayanti tells us about the unique challenges of being an empowered woman entrepreneur in a village. One of her biggest challenges was the cultural implications of rearing goats. The other challenge was the stigma that follows with being a woman. Jayanti overcame these hurdles with her strong will and dedication to her goals.

A Model Recognized in " Mann ki Baat"

Jayanti's dedication and the Goat Bank's success story did not go unnoticed. In 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the initiative in his national radio address, "Mann ki Baat." He recognized the unique loan model – where families received two goats for two years, kept some offspring, and returned others to the bank for distribution. This ensured a constant flow of goats and empowered new families to join the program. Over 1000 farmers, predominantly women, from 50 villages benefited from this innovative system.

Jayanti's vision extends beyond Odisha, with plans to expand the Goat Bank to other states in the next five years. Her story is beyond inspirational. It shows how a tiny spark, has ignited a revolution in rural India, one goat, and one empowered woman at a time. Jayanti's message to aspiring women entrepreneurs is: "Perseverance, consistency, and patience are the three pillars of success. There is no short-cut to success. You have to work hard and have faith in your goals." The Goat Bank is a sustainable business model that will keep inspiring women who strive to make a change.