72,669 women become ‘Lakhpati Didis’ through women-led dairy companies operating across 31 districts: Keshav Prasad Maurya
Lucknow: Women-led dairy enterprises are emerging as a major driver of rural economic transformation in Uttar Pradesh, with nearly 4.12 lakh women dairy producers now associated with organised milk producer companies across the state. The initiative has reached 7,298 villages in 31 districts, generated a cumulative turnover of approximately ₹5,839 crore and earned profits of around ₹132 crore. As many as 72,669 women associated with these companies have become ‘Lakhpati Didis’.
Under the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission, five women-led Milk Producer Companies are working to strengthen women’s financial independence by providing organised markets, transparent pricing and regular income opportunities.
The five companies are Balini, Kashi, Samarthya, Shri Baba Gorakhnath Kripa and Srijani Milk Producer Companies.
Balini operates across seven Bundelkhand districts, covering 1,445 villages and 96,320 women members. It has recorded a turnover of ₹2,295 crore and profits of ₹58.75 crore, helping 26,189 women become Lakhpati Didis.
Kashi Milk Producer Company covers seven districts and 1,198 villages in the Purvanchal region. With 56,280 members, it has achieved a turnover of ₹855 crore and profits of ₹16 crore. Around 13,219 women associated with the company have attained Lakhpati Didi status.
Samarthya operates in seven districts across 1,560 villages in central Uttar Pradesh. It has approximately 1.12 lakh women members, a cumulative turnover of ₹1,841 crore and profits of ₹45 crore. Nearly 18,000 women have become Lakhpati Didis through the initiative.
Shri Baba Gorakhnath Kripa Milk Producer Company operates in four districts and 1,170 villages in the Gorakhpur region. Its 74,350 members have contributed to a turnover of ₹370.07 crore and profits of ₹4.46 crore, with 6,269 women achieving Lakhpati Didi status.
Srijani Milk Producer Company covers six districts and 1,925 villages in the Terai region. With 72,670 women members, it has recorded a turnover of ₹477.89 crore and profits of ₹8.16 crore. Around 8,992 women associated with the company have become Lakhpati Didis.
The companies have introduced a transparent milk procurement system based on fat and solid-not-fat (SNF) content, ensuring that producers receive payments according to milk quality. Payments are transferred directly into women’s bank accounts on the 3rd, 13th and 23rd of every month, providing a regular and predictable income stream.
While Balini and Samarthya have expanded into processing dairy products such as ghee and paneer, Kashi, Shri Baba Gorakhnath Kripa and Srijani collect milk and supply it to Mother Dairy through an established procurement system.
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said the women-led dairy value chain was creating employment and income opportunities while strengthening the rural economy. He emphasised that women associated with self-help groups were now participating in organised economic activities spanning milk production, collection, processing and marketing.
Maurya said transparent pricing, regular bank payments and access to organised dairy markets had made the initiative an effective instrument of women’s economic empowerment. He added that the model would contribute to making rural women self-reliant, strengthening Uttar Pradesh’s rural economy and advancing the state’s ambition of becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=RtToJsBhYBatUrym&v=mOuYNSdhjHA&feature=youtu.be
