Gangtok: Dipesh Khatiwada walked away from conventional job hunts. The 23-year-old Master's graduate from Kumaun University returned to Lidung village in Dentam, West Sikkim. He founded the Khatiwada Brothers Dairy Farm. His operation now produces 120 litres of milk daily.
The farm manages nine cows, two heifers, and two calves. Eight cows are currently producing milk. Khatiwada sends his stock to the Sikkim Milk Union. The Union pays between Rs 42 and Rs 50 per litre based on quality metrics. The Sikkim government adds an Rs 8 per litre incentive to that base price. Daily earnings hit Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000. Hard work pays.
His day starts at 5 am. He checks the animals before providing feed and water. He maintains direct involvement despite having two employees. Khatiwada said: "I first check the health of all the animals and ensure they receive proper feed and clean water. Even though I have staff, I still milk one or two cows myself because I genuinely enjoy doing it."
Geography studies shaped his worldview. He learned about land, soil, and rural development. He now pushes for better support systems. Challenges in the hills are real. Costs for feed, medicine, and transport are rising. Access to vets and breeding services remains thin. He wants more young people to view agriculture as a professional choice.
Khatiwada advocates for fairer procurement pricing and better infrastructure. He wants Sikkim to become a model dairy state through smarter institutional backing. He views the trade as a noble pursuit. Agriculture is not a fallback plan. It is a career that sustains the nation.
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