Over 1,200 women goatherds — known as the "voicemail farmers" for their ingenious adoption of mobile technology — have now launched their own company in Theni district of Tamil Nadu.
Here’s a little something for anyone doubting that technology can change things up for the better. In Tamil Nadu, it has helped over a thousand women come together and launch their own company.
These women are known as (and proudly declare themselves to be) “voicemail farmers”. Starting in 2000, these — mostly uneducated — women began using voicemail through their mobile phones to get scientific tips on goat-rearing. Their technique has improved, as has the health and quality of their livestock.
Now, close to 1,300 of these women, living and working amidst the lush greenery of Bodi West Hills, have contributed Rs. 1,000 each as capital to set up the Theni District Goat Farmers Producer Company Limited.
Image for representation only. Source: Flickr
A great example of what people can achieve when they band together for a common goal, the company will help these women sell their goats directly, eliminating the need for middlemen.
They will also buy and distribute medicines and fodder for goats through the company.
Source: YouTube
And since they wanted to be a hundred percent on their plans, they didn’t rush into anything either. For two years, they observed the workings of a crop-producer co-operative based in Madurai. They launched their own company only when they knew exactly would running a company would entail.
The company was inaugerated by Theni distric collector N Venkatachalam on Tuesday.
The 10-member board of the company has 8 women on it. The company will get technical assistance from Vidiyal, an NGO.
“Our women have finally gained the confidence to run their own company,” said a member of Vidiyal to the Times of India.
Right on, ladies! Don’t you let anything get in your way.
Featured image source: Wikipedia; Times of India (inset)
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