The state is intensifying preparations to make rural women economically independent by involving them in milk production and the dairy business. The Director of Deputy Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya issued directives during a joint meeting of the Department of Food Processing and the State Mission for Rural Development Initiatives of Uttar Pradesh.
It was mandated to ensure the dissemination of the dairy program in every village across all 75 districts of the state. Special emphasis was placed on attracting not only women but also farmers and youth to milk production.
Currently, 394 thousand women involved in milk production are registered in 7,220 villages across 42 districts. These women produce approximately 10.77 million liters of milk daily. Among the 72,669 women participating in milk production, the status of 'Lakhpati Didi' (millionaire) has already been achieved.
The total turnover of companies associated with the dairy sector is about 5,839 crore rupees, with a net profit of 133 crore rupees. Through 5 milk producers, 95,100 members are linked in 1,440 villages across 7 districts, producing 2.50 million liters of milk daily. Kashi Milk Producer company is associated with 55 thousand members in 1,770 villages across 10 districts, ensuring a daily output of 1.60 million liters of milk. Samarthya Milk Producer company unites about one hundred thousand members in 1,550 villages across 10 districts. In Baba Gorakhnath Kripa Milk Producer company, 73,283 members participate in 1,160 villages across 7 districts, and Srijani Milk Producer company has 71,320 members in 1,900 villages across 8 districts.
Instructions were given to conduct special information campaigns at the village level to promote the program. The need to simplify registration procedures, application submissions, and the provision of necessary documents was also highlighted. Directives were issued to provide full support to needy women and rural families at the departmental level.
Keshav Prasad Maurya stated that a dairy revolution is being implemented in Uttar Pradesh, which connects the concepts of women's empowerment, 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goal of one million 'Lakhpati Didis'. Milk production is becoming a reliable source of regular income for rural women. The government's goal is to increase the income of as many women involved in this model as possible, as well as expand employment and self-employment opportunities in villages. According to the government, the growth in women's income will strengthen the financial position of rural households and give a new impetus to the village economy.