Women-led Marathvarhad MPO targets 11 lakh kg milk collection daily

The newly established Marathvarhad Milk Producer Organisation (MPO), run by women, aims to significantly enhance milk procurement volumes to 11 lakh kilograms per day over the next five years. This ambitious target is part of a broader strategy to achieve an annual turnover of Rs 1,800 crore. As the organisation gears up for this expansion, it also plans to implement an automated and fair milk collection system across all intervention villages.

The MPO's operations stem from the existing Vidarbha and Marathwada Dairy Development Project (VMDDP), which had been initiated by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra in 2013. This initiative was particularly aimed at providing sustainable livelihood options for farmers in the drought-prone regions of Vidarbha and Marathwada.

Currently, the project is operational in ten districts, successfully collecting 4 lakh litres of milk daily from about 35,000 farmers through 2,500 Milk Pooling Points. With the establishment of the women-led MPO on January 9, 2025, efforts are being concentrated on broadening this network across 6,000 villages, engaging 1.85 lakh women dairy farmers through an organised procurement system. The MPO is not only focused on increasing milk volumes but also ensuring timely payments directly into the bank accounts of its members, thus promoting financial inclusivity.

The project underscores a significant shift towards sustainable agriculture and women empowerment, positioning Marathvarhad MPO as a pivotal player in India's dairy landscape.