ASSAGAO: In the now swanky, rapidly gentrifying village of Assagao, a family business spanning three generations has not only endured but evolved to new heights, blending tradition with modern technology. What began in 1952 as a modest dairy farm by Vitthal Vishnu Kamat has transformed into a multifaceted venture, incorporating vermicomposting and agricultural cultivation of vegetables and flowers.
Umesh Kamat, one of Vitthal’s sons, reminisces about their humble beginnings, “Assagao was a quiet, almost forsaken village in those days—shrubbery, trees, minimal population, and no proper roads. My father purchased 7,000 sq mts for Rs 2,500, a significant sum then, starting his dairy enterprise with just five buffaloes.”
Vitthal Kamat’s perseverance paid off as he sold milk door-to-door, gradually establishing the family name. He also ran a small restaurant in the village and would graciously serve the few customers they received. With the passage of time, Vitthal handed over the reins to his eleven children, who decided to diversify while preserving their father's legacy.
One son, Vinayak Kamat, became the Sarpanch of Assagao, and worked hard towards maintaining the village’s tranquillity during his tenure.
Umesh ventured into coconut sales at the bagyatdar market in Mapusa and continued with this business for 30 years. While he still maintained a coupled of his fathers buffaloes, the milk was only for family consumption, as he did not have the time to run a dairy.
Fast forward to 2018, Umesh, supported by his sons Kedar and Kaustubh, revived the family enterprise into a commercial dairy, ‘Kamat Dairy’, with 30 cows. Umesh has to be credited for inculcating the love of the dairy in his two sons and imbibing the spirit of huis family’s legacy in them.
“We've come a long way since then,” says Umesh, proudly sharing that Kamat Dairy now supplies an average of 150 litres of milk per day to various places in Bardez. Despite receiving calls from distant locations like Panaji and Tiswadi, limited manpower restricts their service area.
Umesh envisions his sons carrying the legacy forward, making Kamat Dairy a significant force in the future. However, he voices dissatisfaction with government schemes, citing them as mere promises.
“Dairy farmers do a service to society, but government support is lacking. Youth is hesitant due to various hurdles. Still, we press on, believing in service to society over self,” Umesh adds, undeterred.
For Umesh, his cows are like family. Despite financial setbacks from occasional pandemics affecting the cows, he steers the ship through rough storms. Recently, through the National Horticulture Mission, he introduced a vermicomposting pit at his farm to utilise cow dung effectively, with the compost quickly becoming popular, warranting a waiting list of the precious manure.
As the business diversifies, Umesh encourages Goan youth to explore opportunities, urging them to resist the lure of easy money.
He emphasises the need for taking up challenges, creating individual identities, or elevating family businesses to achieve societal recognition in the coastal belt.