- Over 45,611 Women Become ‘Lakhpati Didis’ Through Dairy Value Chain
- More Than 9.15 Lakh Litres of Milk Collected Daily
Lucknow | Milk Producer Companies operating under the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission have emerged as a strong symbol of women’s self-reliance, empowering thousands of rural women economically and socially across the state.
Under the leadership and guidance of Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM), under the Rural Development Department, is actively working to organise economically and socially disadvantaged rural women into Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and other community institutions under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY–NRLM). The mission is focused on connecting women with agriculture and non-agriculture-based livelihoods and enabling them to earn an annual income of ₹1 lakh or more, transforming them into Lakhpati Didis.
Significant and effective steps have been taken by the State Rural Livelihood Mission to strengthen women’s empowerment, particularly in rural areas. In this direction, the Balini Milk Producer Company, operating in the Bundelkhand region, has brought a positive transformation in the lives of women and has become a notable example of women-led self-reliance. The company collects, preserves, and markets milk directly from producers, ensuring fair returns to women dairy farmers.
Operating under the Rural Livelihood Mission, Balini Milk Producer Company also provides essential support services such as green fodder arrangements, artificial insemination, and quality cattle feed to its members. According to official data, the company was established in 2019 in Jhansi with the objective of safeguarding the interests of member producers, particularly women. Through transparent procurement practices, timely payments, capacity building, and livestock support services, Balini has grown into a trusted name in dairy development. The company has eliminated middlemen from the procurement-to-storage process, ensuring direct benefits to farmers.
Across the seven districts of Bundelkhand, Balini collects over 2.72 lakh litres of milk daily from nearly 90,000 women across 1,351 villages, with more than 20,000 women already achieving Lakhpati status.
At the state level, five Milk Producer Companies—Balini Milk Producer Company, Samarthya Milk Producer Company, Kashi Milk Producer Company, Baba Gorakhnath Milk Producer Company, and Srijani Milk Producer Company—are operating under the dairy value chain across 31 districts and 5,205 villages. Together, over 2.89 lakh milk producers are collectively generating livelihoods by contributing more than 9.15 lakh litres of milk per day.
So far, over 45,611 women members associated with these dairy value chains have crossed the annual income threshold to become Lakhpati Didis, marking a significant milestone in Uttar Pradesh’s journey towards inclusive rural development and women-led economic empowerment.
