Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. SP Singh Baghel, visited the Shreeja Mahila Milk Producer Organisation today, spotlighting its pivotal role in empowering rural women and driving local economic transformation.
During his visit, Prof. Baghel interacted with local dairy entrepreneurs and felicitated the ‘Lakhpati Didis’—women who have achieved notable financial success through the cooperative. He praised their achievements, calling them ‘key drivers of rural economic progress’.
Encouraging diversification of livelihoods, the Union Minister urged women to expand their entrepreneurial ventures beyond traditional dairying into poultry, aquaculture, and swine husbandry. He also emphasised the adoption of modern agricultural technologies, such as micro-irrigation systems, to enhance productivity and reinforce the financial sustainability of women-led enterprises.
Prof. Baghel also called on women to actively engage in local governance through panchayati raj institutions, underscoring their essential role in community development.
The visit coincided with major announcements for Shreeja. The State government has allocated 47.49 acres of land in Kuppam for the establishment of an integrated dairy processing facility and a cattle feed manufacturing plant. The `300 crore project is expected to generate approximately 800 local jobs.
In a further boost to livestock welfare, Shreeja has partnered with Indian Immunologicals Limited to develop a custom ‘health kit’ under the ‘One Health’ initiative. The `6.5 crore collaboration aims to improve animal productivity and well-being for cooperative members.
