Mahila Samarthya Yojana expands dairy network across Awadh, reaches 1,500+ villages

The Mahila Samarthya Yojana has expanded its footprint across the Awadh region of Uttar Pradesh, covering more than 1,500 villages and connecting over one lakh women to dairy-based economic activities.
The initiative is being implemented across districts such as Ayodhya, Sultanpur, Raebareli, Amethi, Pratapgarh, Fatehpur, and Kanpur Nagar, with further expansion underway in other areas. According to officials, the scheme has facilitated the creation of a large dairy network, where women are actively involved in milk production and supply. Daily milk collection under this network has reached around 4 lakh litres, indicating a shift towards organized dairy activities in rural areas.

The program, launched in March 2023 with a smaller base of villages and participants, has seen steady growth over time. It initially covered around 340 villages and 8,000 women, and has since expanded significantly in scale and participation. Authorities noted that this expansion reflects increasing engagement in dairy-related work as a source of livelihood. A key feature of the initiative is the use of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), through which payments are deposited directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts. Officials stated that over ₹1,380 crore has been transferred so far, aimed at ensuring transparency and reducing intermediaries in financial transactions.

The scheme is associated with efforts by the state government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to promote women’s participation in economic activities. It focuses on linking production, procurement, and payment systems within the dairy sector. Individual cases have also emerged from participating districts, including examples of women starting small-scale dairy activities and expanding them over time. These instances are seen as part of broader changes in rural livelihoods linked to organized dairy networks. The initiative continues to expand across the region, contributing to income generation and increased participation of women in the rural economy.

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