Kamdhenu Enterprise | Ms. Malamoni Hazarika | Food processing | IIE
Channel: IIE
Date: 21/08/2023

The story of a woman from Assam who has successfully set up her food processing unit and made a mark globally

“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” - Robert F. Kennedy
In this startup era, most of us always have a dream to start our own venture, but how many of us are prepared to face failure? This is a story about a woman from Assam who dared to dream, fail, and yet make a mark in the food processing market globally. She is Ms. Malamoni Hazarika. 
Having an interest in this sector, since its inception, she launched her venture “Kamdhenu Enterprise” in the year 1993. Initially, to start the business, she tried her hands at the growing mushrooms, for which she had taken a PMRY loan. Unfortunately, she wasn’t aware of the repercussions, thus failing to repay her loan on time made her learn a lesson and she had to take a step back. But with every lesson, comes an opportunity. When the business of mushroom cultivation failed, Ms. Malamoni started to think about other alternatives. She started observing small packets of pickles in the market. That is when a new business idea popped up in her mind and she never looked back again. 
In the year 2003, she made a batch of mango pickles with just 5 kgs of mangoes, did the branding under the name of Kamdhenu enterprise at her food processing unit, and hit it off in the market. Eventually, people started recognizing her brand, and there was a demand for her products. Starting off with 5 kgs, went on to 50 kgs, and today her pickles are produced in tonnes and sold out at the market. Not only mango but there are also more than 38 varieties of pickles available at the market currently. Moreover, there are approximately 60 different product ranges like squash, coconut oil, mustard oil, elephant apple powder, etc. 
Although there are numerous problems like marketing, production, raw material, etc., the brand has been evolving amidst everything. 
Today, she has approximately 10 women working under her, and she strives to promote entrepreneurship by providing various training and mentoring various aspiring entrepreneurs. Her association with Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship goes back to her initial days. She has been a trainer as well as a trainee for various training held at IIE. She always makes sure to support the upcoming entrepreneurs and motivate them to pursue their dream, no matter how hard it gets. She has been associated with various NGO’s and organisations who has been working toward women’s empowerment. 
Ms. Malamoni’s journey can be an inspiration for many aspiring entrepreneurs. She started off making pickles out of only 5 kgs of mangoes, but today she has been able to represent India in Egypt as well as received prestigious national awards from MSME in 2008, Coconut development Board in 2012 and Vasundhara in 2016. To date, her products have received multiple awards and appreciation in whatsoever exhibition they have participated in.

“If I can do it, so can you. All you need is strong willpower and perseverance” – Ms. Malamoni