India’s dairy sector is not only a vital economic driver but also a platform for empowering women. With over 70% of the workforce in dairy being female, small-scale dairy farming has become a gateway to entrepreneurship, especially in rural areas.
Anita Dash from Balasore, Odisha, exemplifies this shift. Starting with just one cow in 2012, Anita expanded her business to 60 cows by 2015, and when supply issues arose, she pivoted to producing value-added products like paneer and chhena poda, learning through online resources.
Her breakthrough came in 2021, when she secured a ₹26.8 lakh loan through the PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme, enabling her to scale operations and invest in modern equipment. Today, Krishna Dairy generates ₹3-4 lakh in monthly profits, with her products sold across the district.
The PMFME scheme, which has supported over 1,700 micro food enterprises in Odisha, has been a game-changer, offering credit, training, and market access. It’s empowering women entrepreneurs like Anita, driving rural economies and promoting value-added dairy products in India.
