From Struggles To Success: Vinita Of Sonbhadra Becomes ‘Lakhpati Didi’ Through Dairy Farming

BY: RATNESH RAI

Vinita, a resident of the remote village of Prasiddhi in Uttar Pradesh’s Sonbhadra district, has emerged as a shining example of rural entrepreneurship and women empowerment. Once struggling to make ends meet, she is now one of the first five women to be named a ‘Lakhpati Didi’ by the Kashi Milk Producer Company—earning over ₹1 lakh annually through dairy farming.

Coming from a joint family of 14 members, Vinita initially owned 10–12 cows and sold milk to private dairies. Despite her hard work, low returns and delayed payments made it difficult to even meet basic household needs. “We never received a fair price or timely payments. Life was tough and educating my children felt like a far-off dream,” she recalls.

Vinita’s fortunes changed when she joined the Om Mahila Sahayata Samuh, a self-help group linked to the Kashi Milk Producer Company. With support from the State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM), she received proper training, resources, and—most importantly—fair pricing and timely payments for her milk.

In just two years, Vinita expanded her dairy business to over 40 cows, transforming into a confident and financially independent entrepreneur. “The Kashi Milk Producer Company gave me not just a better income, but a better life,” she says.

A Model of Rural Transformation

Vinita’s success is not an isolated case. The Kashi Milk Producer Company operates across seven districts—Ballia, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, Ghazipur, Chandauli, Varanasi, and Sant Ravidas Nagar—reaching more than 700 villages. The company has empowered 30,497 women, who collectively supply 1.03 lakh litres of milk daily.

Out of these, 5,209 women have become ‘Lakhpati Didis’, earning over ₹1 lakh annually—an achievement that signals a shift in the economic landscape of rural Uttar Pradesh.

At the state level, the UPSRLM has facilitated the daily collection of 7.29 lakh litres of milk from 3,926 villages, empowering 28,853 women through self-help groups and milk producer companies. Combined efforts of companies like Balini, Samarthya, Gorakhnath Kripa, Srijani, and Kashi Milk have led to a cumulative turnover exceeding ₹1,250 crore, providing a strong boost to the rural economy.

Government Support Driving Change

Mission Director Deepa Ranjan highlighted the importance of this initiative in promoting self-employment and financial stability for women at the grassroots. “With timely payments, training, and access to markets, rural women are not just earning but building a future for themselves and their families,” she said.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision of empowering rural women through structured livelihood missions is taking shape across the state. By linking women with milk producer companies and SHGs, the government is not only enhancing incomes but also ensuring dignity and self-reliance.

Vinita’s story is a testament to how determination, when backed by the right support system, can bring about transformational change. From a struggling milk seller to a successful entrepreneur and community role model, she now inspires countless women in her village and beyond.

“This initiative didn’t just change my earnings—it changed how I see life. I can educate my children and plan for a better future,” says Vinita with pride.