Ludhiana, Punjab: At a time when thousands of young Indians aspire to settle abroad, 32-year-old engineer Amrit Singh Buttar chose a very different path. Despite securing an Australian visa in 2020 and having his wife already living there, the Chandigarh University graduate decided to return to his native village of Dhurkot in Punjab’s Ludhiana district to pursue an ambitious dream—building a modern dairy enterprise.
Six years later, that decision has transformed into a thriving agribusiness worth nearly ₹5 crore, generating an annual profit of around ₹80 lakh while creating employment, promoting scientific dairy farming, and inspiring young entrepreneurs across the country.
Building a Dairy Business Instead of Chasing a Foreign Career
Coming from a family that expected him to pursue a prestigious civil service career, Buttar faced criticism when he announced his decision to become a dairy entrepreneur.
“My parents wanted me to become an IAS officer, while many relatives believed I was wasting my engineering degree by choosing dairy farming,” Buttar recalled.
For several months, family members questioned his decision, unable to understand why an engineering graduate would leave the opportunity to settle abroad.
Today, many of those same relatives approach him for business advice and dairy consultancy.
“I believed opportunities could be created in our villages. Money can be earned anywhere, but someone has to stay back and develop our land, agriculture and rural economy,” he said.
Scientific Planning Laid the Foundation
Unlike traditional dairy farmers, Buttar approached dairy farming as a professionally managed business.
Before purchasing his first buffaloes, he spent nearly eight months travelling across Haryana and other dairy-producing states, meeting progressive dairy farmers, livestock breeders, veterinarians and nutrition experts.
He also completed specialised dairy management training at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana, studying breeding, nutrition, disease control, milk economics and scientific herd management.
“I didn’t want to enter dairy farming blindly. I wanted to understand every aspect of the business before investing,” he said.
From Two Murrah Buffaloes to a Herd of 130
The journey began in 2020 when Buttar invested ₹4.40 lakh to purchase two premium Murrah buffaloes from Haryana.
Today, his Buttar Dairy Farm and Dhurkot Feed Industry houses approximately 130 buffaloes, including nearly 100 adult animals, of which around 80 are currently lactating.
The farm now produces 500–600 litres of milk daily, generating monthly milk sales worth approximately ₹11–12 lakh, equivalent to an annual turnover exceeding ₹1.3 crore.
About half of the milk is supplied to Verka, while the remaining quantity is sold directly to premium customers at prices ranging between ₹70 and ₹79 per kilogram, depending on milk fat content.
According to Buttar, the dairy business operates with an estimated 50 percent profit margin, delivering a monthly profit of ₹6–7 lakh.
“Few businesses generate cash flow twice every day—once in the morning and again in the evening. Dairy farming offers exactly that,” he remarked.
Diversified Agribusiness Model
Rather than depending solely on milk sales, Buttar has developed an integrated agricultural enterprise where each activity supports the other.
The business now includes:
- Commercial buffalo farming
- Scientific breeding programmes
- A cattle feed manufacturing unit
- Fodder cultivation across approximately 25 acres
- Goat farming
- Dairy consultancy services
Owning 14 acres and cultivating additional leased land, the farm produces maize, wheat and paddy, with much of the maize converted into silage for buffalo feed.
“We don’t see farming and dairy as separate businesses. Crop cultivation supports dairy by reducing feed costs and ensuring better quality control,” Buttar explained.
The on-farm feed manufacturing unit prepares customised rations for calves, growing stock and adult buffaloes using maize, wheat, barley, mustard cake and other nutritional ingredients.
Wife Returns from Australia to Join the Enterprise
In another unusual decision, Buttar persuaded his wife, Ramandeep Kaur, who had completed a Master’s degree in Environmental Science from an Australian university, to return to Punjab in 2021 and become part of the family’s agribusiness.
She now manages the farm’s Beetal goat breeding unit, which currently maintains around 30 goats and continues to expand.
The couple believes that entrepreneurship in rural India offers long-term opportunities while contributing to village development.
Consultancy Becomes a New Business Opportunity
As Buttar’s reputation grew, aspiring dairy entrepreneurs from Punjab and overseas began seeking his guidance.
Read More: Lassi and Buttermilk Challenge Soft Drinks as India’s Dairy Beverage Market Surges
Today, he operates a professional dairy consultancy service, charging ₹5,000 per consultation, with appointments reportedly booked two to two-and-a-half months in advance.
The consultancy business alone generates around ₹1 lakh per month, while he has already assisted in establishing 10–12 commercial dairy farms, including projects initiated by Indians returning from abroad.
Focus on Biosecurity and Animal Health
Disease prevention remains central to the farm’s management strategy.
Newly purchased animals undergo quarantine before joining the herd, while regular veterinary supervision, vaccination, and biosecurity protocols help prevent diseases such as brucellosis and minimise production losses.
Strict nutritional management and scientific breeding practices have also contributed to improved herd productivity and reproductive performance.
Expansion Plans
Encouraged by the farm’s success, Buttar has begun constructing an additional two-acre modern cattle shed as part of an ambitious expansion plan.
His long-term vision is to increase the herd from 130 buffaloes to nearly 1,000 animals over the next decade, transforming the enterprise into one of Punjab’s leading commercial dairy operations.
The business currently provides direct employment to around 10 people, including three women, supporting the local rural economy.
A Message for India’s Youth
Buttar believes dairy farming has evolved far beyond traditional milk production.
“Dairy today is about genetics, nutrition, feed manufacturing, technology, disease-free milk production and value addition. If managed scientifically, it can become one of the most profitable agribusinesses,” he said.
Reflecting on his journey, he credits both his engineering education and UPSC preparation for developing the analytical and management skills needed to build a successful enterprise.
His story stands as a powerful example of how innovation, scientific management and entrepreneurship can transform traditional agriculture into a modern, profitable business—demonstrating that India’s villages can offer opportunities equal to those sought abroad.
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