The Cow project was introduced in 2013 by IIMC director Dr S.K. Brahmochary to help the poorest rural mothers create wealth.
Owning a cow is far beyond the means of the poorest. For this project, a cow is gifted to a woman experiencing poverty, malnutrition or inequality (involved in one of IIMC’s initiatives like the Woman's Peace Council) from a rural village, to generate an income by selling it’s milk.
The woman and her family will own the cow and will be able to make money from the sale of it's milk. The cow’s first calf, however, has to be surrendered to IIMC. If the calf is male, it will be sold and the proceeds of the sale goes into IIMC's fund. If the calf is female it will be given to another woman living in a remote, rural area. This new calf is expected to calve after 1½ to 2 years. When it has given birth, it’s new calf, if female, is again returned to IIMC to be given to another woman. And the process goes on.
The number of cows available in the scheme will multiply as the project progresses. Through this scheme IIMC hopes to reach and economically empower as many poor families as possible.
The Australian IIMC Committee has made a video, More than Milk, on the Cow Project.
This short documentary delves into the transformative power of The Cow Project, as told through the voices of the women experiencing poverty, malnutrition, and inequality in India. Set in West Bengal, the film shows some heartfelt interviews and intimate footage with women who share how the simple gift of a cow has brought about profound changes in their lives and the lives of their families.
The video is a testament to how 'The Institute for Indian Mother and Child' (IIMC) are using a simple yet powerful initiative to empower the poorest of the poor.
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