Thommankuthu (Idukki): Though dairy farming is not an easy business, many people have tried it recently. But there is a successful dairy farmer in Thommankuthu who has been continuing the business for the past 25 years.
Sakeer is a professional dairy farmer who owns over 10 different varieties of cows. Sakeer's father Jamal also was a dairy farmer and he followed his father's career path. Jersey, Holstein Friesian, Sindhi, Sahiwal and other breeds of cows were brought from different places.
Majority of them produce a minimum of 25 litres of milk every day. The fodder grass required for the cows is cultivated in a 1.5 acre land. Cattle feed provided from Milma is also used.
Sakeer never looks at the profit and loss of this business as it is his passion. When 25 litre milk is produced, he can earn upto Rs 750-800. From this, Rs 350 is spent for cattle feed. However, Sakeer is never disappointed. He proved that profit can be increased by rearing more cows.
Sakeer is the recipient of many honours in agriculture fairs and in the dairy farming sector. His wife Shereefa, children Asharin Fathima and Ashar Yasin also support him in cattle rearing and other tasks.