“Empowering Local Women through Dairy Farming: Share Khamo Alo’s Success Story”

Has faced more than her share of challenges. As a mother of five, she has long struggled to make ends meet while raising her four daughters and one son alongside her husband, yet her determination and perseverance have become a testament to her strength and resolve.

For years, Share’s family relied on raising goats and selling dairy products such as milk and yogurt to sustain themselves, but the income was often insufficient. Seasonal fluctuations further strained their resources, with winter making it difficult to maintain livestock and the summer's small profits from local sales barely covering the family's needs. Share recalls the difficulties they faced, “We had very little. Some days, I didn’t know how we would manage. My husband and I tried everything, but finding work was difficult. There just weren’t many opportunities.”

Despite their efforts, the future looked uncertain. However, a new opportunity arose when Share learned about a training programme from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) with support from the Japanese government. The programme aimed to support women with skills but limited resources to enhance their livelihoods. Eager to improve her family’s situation, Share enrolled in the programme, hopeful that she could learn new techniques to improve her dairy products and make them more marketable.

The training proved to be a turning point in Share's life. Over several sessions, she learned advanced and modernized methods for producing yogurt and cheese, as well as valuable marketing skills to better sell her products. Share enthusiastically shared her experience: “I learned so many new things. It wasn’t just about making yogurt or cheese anymore, it was about selling it, making my products better so more people would want to buy from me. That was the part I liked the most.”

Upon completing the programme, Share also received essential equipment from UNIDO that transformed her small dairy operation. Stainless steel tools, food-grade packaging materials, and hygiene kits, among other supplies, enabled her to increase production and improve the quality of her products. This new equipment allowed her to produce larger quantities of yogurt and cheese, and as a result, her sales began to rise.

“The equipment made a big difference,” she explained. “Before, I couldn’t make as much as I wanted, but now I can sell more, and the products are better.”

Share’s dream is to expand her business further, with hopes of acquiring more livestock to double her production. However, the cost of new goats and sheep remains a challenge for now. Though borrowing money is an option, Share is cautious about taking on loans. Still, she remains hopeful that with time, the profits from her improved dairy business will allow her to save and reinvest.

One of Share’s key insights is the advantage of her locally produced yogurt over factory-made alternatives. “The freshness and quality of my yogurt resonate with customers who prefer locally sourced, high quality dairy goods,” she said. She also expressed a vision for the future: “If a community production facility were available, many women could work together and scale up production, while still maintaining the high standards of locally made yogurt.”

Despite facing challenges such as the fluctuating price of raw milk and limited storage capacity for larger orders, Share is proud of the progress she’s made. With a small herd of 14 goats, she ensures a steady source of milk for her dairy products.

Beyond the tangible improvements in her business, Share speaks passionately about the transformative effect the training has had on her personal life. “I feel better,” she shared. “Before, it was hard to find any work, but now I’m doing something that makes a difference. We’re not just making money, but we’re building our confidence. It’s something to be proud of.”

With the support of UNIDO, funded by the Japanese government, and the skills she has gained, Share is confident that her family’s situation will continue to improve. “I know it will take time,” she said, “but I believe things will get better. I want my children to have a better future, and I’m working hard to make sure they do.”

Share’s story is one of hope, empowerment, and resilience, showing the sustainable impact of programmes like UNIDO’s on women and their communities.