Over 14,000 Women Dairy Farmers in 400 Villages of Gorakhpur Division Become Shareholders

Gorakhpur :Under the guidance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a special initiative of the State Rural Livelihood Mission has ushered in a new era of women’s empowerment in Gorakhpur division. Spearheading this change is the “Shri Baba Gorakhnath Kripa Milk Producer Company,” a company established by women and for women. Modeled after Bundelkhand’s Balini Milk Producer Company—an exemplary success in milk production and collection—the company was formed two years ago and has been operational for the past year.

Currently, over 14,000 women dairy farmers from 400 villages across the division have become shareholders in the company. These women collectively collect 48,000 liters of milk daily, paving the way for self-reliance. As per the vision of CM Yogi Adityanath, the company is working on a strategic plan to increase its milk collection capacity to 300,000 liters per day within the next two years.

Balini Milk Producer Company: A Model of Excellence

Bundelkhand’s Balini Milk Producer Company, run by women, is a shining example of success. Established in 2019 with just five women, it now boasts 71,000 shareholders, collecting 250,000 liters of milk daily. With a turnover of ₹1,225 crore, the company earned a net profit of ₹24 crore. Inspired by Balini’s success, CM Yogi Adityanath directed the creation of five women-led milk producer companies under the State Rural Livelihood Mission’s Mahila Samarth Yojana. One of these, Shri Baba Gorakhnath Kripa Milk Producer Company, was established in 2022 in Gorakhpur. It operates across four districts—Gorakhpur, Maharajganj, Deoria, and Kushinagar—and has already set up milk chilling centers in multiple locations.

Dairy Operations and Future Plans

CEO Dhanraj Sahani of Shri Baba Gorakhnath Kripa Milk Producer Company shared that the milk collected by the shareholder women is currently being supplied to Mother Dairy’s plants in Etawah and Motihari. Discussions are also underway with local entities like Varun Beverages (a PepsiCo franchise) and Gyan Dairy to expand supply channels. With increasing milk collection, these talks are expected to bear fruit. The company aims to increase the number of shareholders to 20,000 across 500 villages and daily milk collection to 70,000 liters by March 2025, with a long-term goal of collecting 300,000 liters daily within two years.

Empowered Women: 431 Lakpati Didis in One Year

The women shareholders of the company are steadily progressing toward self-reliance. Through their involvement in milk production and collection, they have significantly increased their household income. CEO Dhanraj Sahani revealed that within a year, 431 women shareholders have become “Lakpati Didis,” earning over ₹1 lakh each. Two women have even earned ₹12 lakh within the same period.

How Women Can Become Members

Women from villages where the company has established or plans to establish milk collection centers can become shareholders. Only one woman per family can join, paying a ₹50 registration fee and purchasing a minimum of five shares at ₹100 each. One share must be paid for at registration, while the remaining four are deducted from milk payment bills. If a woman resigns her membership, her invested share capital is refunded to her bank account. Each member must supply at least 500 liters of milk over 200 days annually.

Direct Payments and Additional Benefits

Payments for milk are made directly to the shareholders’ bank accounts. Upon depositing milk at the chilling centers, women receive a slip. Payments are made every ten days based on the quantity and price recorded on these slips. The milk price matches the prevailing market rate, with payments issued on the 3rd, 13th, and 23rd of each month. Shareholders also receive a share of the company’s profits.

Additional Facilities for Shareholders

The company offers its women shareholders additional services, including animal feed, mineral mixtures, mastitis testing, and artificial insemination for livestock. They also receive guidance on improving livestock health and increasing milk production.

With the continued support of the National Dairy Development Board and a strategic vision for growth, Shri Baba Gorakhnath Kripa Milk Producer Company is empowering women across the Gorakhpur division to achieve financial independence and create a sustainable livelihood.