AI Generated Summary
- A growing number of overseas Punjabis are rediscovering opportunities in their homeland, choosing dairy farming as a means of rebuilding their lives while contributing to Punjab’s rural economy.
- It offers a chance to reconnect with family, preserve cultural traditions and participate directly in the development of their home communities.
- After spending years in countries such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand, several individuals are returning to their ancestral villages, bringing international experience, entrepreneurial ambition and renewed interest in agriculture.
A growing number of overseas Punjabis are rediscovering opportunities in their homeland, choosing dairy farming as a means of rebuilding their lives while contributing to Punjab’s rural economy.
After spending years in countries such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand, several individuals are returning to their ancestral villages, bringing international experience, entrepreneurial ambition and renewed interest in agriculture.
Among them is Manmeet Singh Toor from Shahkot near Jalandhar, who moved to Canada nearly a decade ago. A mechanical engineer by profession, Toor has concentrated on expanding his family’s dairy enterprise over the past two years. Working alongside his brother, he has increased the livestock population from approximately 100 to 250 animals, producing around 1,500 litres of milk daily.
Another returnee, Lakhvir Singh Rajoana, spent more than two decades in New Zealand before deciding to settle in Punjab. His decision was influenced by a desire to care for his ageing parents and provide his daughters with an upbringing connected to their cultural roots. He has since established a modest dairy operation.
Similarly, Manjinder Singh Buthari returned from Australia in 2023 and began developing a dairy business that now houses more than 30 animals.
However, returning entrepreneurs face challenges ranging from administrative difficulties to pollution, infrastructure limitations and unfamiliar operating conditions.
Despite these obstacles, their experiences demonstrate the potential of combining traditional agricultural practices with modern management techniques.
Agricultural experts believe such initiatives could encourage innovation, strengthen rural employment and inspire younger generations to reconsider farming as a viable profession.
The emerging trend also challenges the long-standing belief that economic success necessarily requires migration abroad.
For these returning Punjabis, dairy farming represents more than financial opportunity. It offers a chance to reconnect with family, preserve cultural traditions and participate directly in the development of their home communities.
