Patna: In a significant step towards self-sufficiency and women’s empowerment, Jeevika Didis will now operate their own dairy, producing more than 80,000 litres of milk every day. This transition marks an expansion from their role as milk producers to full-fledged dairy operators—a move expected to boost profits and raise rural women’s incomes.
The venture will be managed under Kaushika Mahila Dudh Utpadak Company Limited, an initiative that has grown remarkably since its inception in 2017. What began as a grassroots business involving 36,000 women across 600 villages has now expanded to include over 200,000 women contributing to daily milk production. The company reports an annual turnover of Rs 13.76 lakh, with each member earning more than Rs 11,000 annually.
Currently, the milk produced is supplied to Mother Dairy and Sudha Dairy. Collection is facilitated through designated milk pulling points across districts, where milk is gathered, processed, and payments are made online directly to the producers. However, Sudha Dairy is yet to establish a presence in the Seemanchal region.
Women engaged in the dairy business have expanded their herds significantly. Many who began with a single cow now own three to five. The initiative supports them with essential resources such as animal feed, mineral mixtures, green fodder, and de-wormers to maintain livestock health.
Himanshu Sharma, CEO of Jeevika, said the success of the existing model has laid the foundation for this independent dairy operation. The new facility will not only scale up production but also grant women greater financial independence and control over their earnings.
