Milking Success: Vinita of Sonbhadra becomes ‘Lakhpati Didi’ through dairy farming

Lucknow/Sonbhadra : The inspiring journey of Vinita, a woman from the small village of Prasiddhi in Uttar Pradesh’s Sonbhadra district, stands as a shining example of how determination and support can transform lives. Once burdened by poverty, she is now a successful dairy entrepreneur with over 40 cows, thanks to the Kashi Milk Producer Company. Her rise as a ‘Lakhpati Didi’ has become an inspiration for many aspiring women.

Coming from a joint family, Vinita’s journey from hardship to success reflects not only her perseverance but also the transformative impact of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s visionary leadership and the State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM). Her story stands as a beacon of hope for countless rural women pursuing economic empowerment through government-backed initiatives.

Hailing from Prasiddhi village in Tarawa Gram Panchayat, Vinita—a graduate—carried the financial burden of a 14-member family. Owning 10–12 cows, she sold milk to private dairies, but her hard work yielded little in return. “We never received a fair price or timely payment,” Vinita recalls. “Despite working tirelessly, even meeting basic household needs was a struggle and educating my children felt like a distant dream.”

However, everything changed when she came to know about Kashi Milk Producer Company. The company’s fair pricing policies and commitment to supporting dairy farmers gave her new hope. Through the Om Mahila Sahayata Samuh, she became part of Kashi Milk and found a platform that respected her labour.

With their support, she received training, resources, and most importantly, a fair and consistent income. In just two years, her earnings crossed Rs 1 lakh. Today, she owns over 40 cows and manages them with the help of her family. Vinita’s transformation from a struggling dairy farmer to one of the first five ‘Lakhpati Didis’ of Kashi Milk Producer Company is nothing short of inspiring.

“The State Rural Livelihood Mission of the Yogi government changed my life,” Vinita says proudly. “Kashi Milk gave me confidence through timely payments and support. Now I’m able to educate my children and give my family a better life.”

Vinita’s success is a testament to how targeted interventions, when combined with determination, can empower women and uplift entire communities. She stands today as a role model for rural women, proving that with the right support, even the toughest challenges can be overcome.

Kashi Milk Producer Company Limited has brought a transformative shift in the lives of rural women across Uttar Pradesh. Among its most inspiring success stories is that of Vinita, who stands proudly as one of the first five ‘Lakhpati Didis’ of the company.

Operating in districts like Ballia, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, Ghazipur, Chandauli, Varanasi, and Sant Ravidas Nagar, the company has created a vast network empowering women across 700 villages. Today, 30,497 women are associated with Kashi Milk, collectively contributing to the daily collection of 1.03 lakh litres of milk. Remarkably, 5,209 of these women have now crossed the milestone of earning over Rs 1 lakh annually.

Statewide, under the State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM), 7.29 lakh litres of milk are being collected daily from 3,926 villages, making 28,853 women financially self-reliant. Milk producer companies like Balini, Samarthya, Gorakhnath Kripa, and Srijani have together generated a turnover of over ₹1,250 crore, significantly boosting the rural economy.

Mission Director Deepa Ranjan highlighted that this initiative is not only enhancing women’s financial strength but also promoting self-employment at the grassroots. “Companies like Kashi Milk are offering the right platforms and resources, enabling women to become self-reliant. Timely payments made directly into their bank accounts have helped them build financial stability and plan for their future,” she said.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision of empowering rural women is being effectively realized through the State Rural Livelihood Mission. The initiative has equipped women with opportunities for economic independence via self-help groups and milk producer companies. Vinita’s story is not just about personal triumph—it is a powerful example of how women can transform their lives and communities with the right support.

Vinita’s success has uplifted her family and inspired many others in her village. With supportive policies, proper market access, and robust infrastructure, she transitioned from a struggling milk seller to a confident entrepreneur. “Kashi Milk and the self-help group didn’t just give me income—they gave me a new way of seeing life,” says Vinita.

Her journey encapsulates the spirit of the rural revolution in Uttar Pradesh—where economic empowerment, community-driven development, and visionary leadership converge to create lasting change. This initiative by the Yogi government is not only strengthening the rural economy but also reshaping the identity and future of women across the state.