---
title: "Kashmir woman grows 20 sheep to 500, earning Rs 1 lakh monthly"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/kashmir-woman-20-to-500-sheep-xcndn
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
section: Society
published: 2026-09-10T11:00:31.913Z
modified: 2026-09-10T13:00:05.275Z
language: en-IN
---

# Kashmir woman grows 20 sheep to 500, earning Rs 1 lakh monthly

In Matrigam village, Mumtaza Begum expanded a 20-sheep start into a 500-flock operation. By 2024, the enterprise generates about Rs 1 lakh monthly profit after expenses, supported by government help and seasonal forest grazing.

## Key takeaways

- Mumtaza Begum expanded a 20-sheep venture in 2018 to about 500 sheep by 2024.
- The farm generates roughly Rs 1 lakh monthly profit after expenses.
- Support from a government program in 2021 included 50 sheep, a subsidy, and shed construction assistance.

## What Happened

In Matrigam village of Kashmir, Mumtaza Begum has grown a small sheep-rearing effort into a sizable farm. The enterprise began in 2018 with 20 sheep. By 2024, the flock had expanded to about 500 sheep. The operation employs three workers on a permanent basis, with additional workers joining during peak periods. The farm now earns roughly Rs 1 lakh per month in profit after expenses. Seasonal grazing near Harmukh forest areas for about six months each year helps reduce feed costs and simplify farm management. The expansion occurred through a combination of daily husbandry, reinvestment of earnings, and a government-assisted program initiated in 2021 that provided 50 sheep, a subsidy, and support to construct a proper sheep shed.

## Why It Matters

The story illustrates how targeted rural-aid programs can enable a small, home-based agricultural venture to scale significantly, creating employment for local workers and broader family income. It also highlights a strategy—seasonal grazing in nearby forests—that can lower input costs for smallholders in Himalayan regions, potentially enabling similar earnings for others who adopt comparable practices and support structures.

## Background

Begum’s initial foray into sheep farming emerged from a personal decision to pursue at-home livelihood options when formal employment prospects were uncertain due to family responsibilities. Sheep farming was seen as a viable market activity due to demand for weddings, festivals, and household consumption. Although she faced skepticism about women’s participation in sheep rearing, she proceeded with an experimental approach, learning through day-to-day management rather than formal training. In 2021, a government-supported Holistic Agriculture Development Programme provided 50 additional sheep, financial subsidy, and assistance to build a shed, enabling further growth. Over six years, the flock expanded steadily through ongoing care and reinvestment of earnings.

## Key Facts

 
- Location: Matrigam village, Kashmir
 
- Initial flock size: 20 sheep (started in 2018)
 
- Current flock size: around 500 sheep (by 2024)
 
- Support received: 50 sheep and a subsidy plus shed construction under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (2021)
 
- Labor: three permanent workers; additional seasonal workers during busy periods
 
- Economic output: about Rs 1 lakh per month in profit after expenses
 
- Cost-saving practice: seasonal grazing in forest areas near Harmukh for roughly six months each year

## What Happens Next

The article does not specify further scheduled steps beyond the ongoing operation and the existing government-support framework. The narrative implies continued reliance on reinvestment of earnings, seasonal grazing to manage costs, and the potential for further livelihood opportunities linked to the farm in the local community.

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Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/kashmir-woman-20-to-500-sheep-xcndn
Reported from: Multiple Sources