Patna: In a significant step towards self-sufficiency and empowerment, Jeevika Didis will now operate their own dairy, producing over 80,000 liters of milk every day. This marks an expansion from their role as a milk producer to a full-fledged dairy operator, a move that will increase their profits and boost rural women’s incomes.
This new venture will be managed under the Kaushika Mahila Dudh Utpadak Company Limited, an initiative that has seen remarkable growth since its inception. The company, started in 2017 as a grassroots business, initially involved 36,000 women across 600 villages. Today, over 200,000 women contribute to daily milk production, with an annual turnover of Rs 13.76 lakh, and each woman earning more than Rs 11,000 annually.
Currently, the milk produced by these women is supplied to Mother Dairy and Sudha Dairy. The milk collection process involves designated milk pulling points across districts, where the milk is collected, processed, and payments are made online directly to the producers. Despite the success, Sudha Dairy has yet to reach the Seemanchal region.
The women involved in the dairy business have shown impressive growth in their own herds. Those who initially owned one cow have expanded to owning three to five cows. The initiative provides them with essential resources like animal feed, mineral mixtures, green fodder, and de-wormers to ensure the health of their livestock.
Himanshu Sharma, CEO of Jeevika, stated that the success of this model has laid the foundation for the dairy’s independent operation. The new dairy will not only increase the scale of production but will also provide these women with greater financial independence and control over their earnings.
