The Marathvarhad Milk Producer Organisation (MPO), a women-led dairy initiative in Maharashtra, India, aims for an annual turnover of ₹1,800 crore. It plans to expand milk procurement to 11 lakh kg daily in five years, benefiting thousands of women dairy farmers.
The newly established Marathvarhad Milk Producer Organisation (MPO), a women-led dairy initiative in Maharashtra, India, has set a target of achieving an annual turnover of ₹1,800 crore while increasing daily milk procurement to 11 lakh kilograms within the next five years. The MPO, which builds upon the Vidarbha and Marathwada Dairy Development Project (VMDDP), aims to empower women dairy farmers and expand its reach across thousands of villages.
The initiative stems from the Vidarbha and Marathwada Dairy Development Project (VMDDP), which was launched under the guidance of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in collaboration with the Maharashtra government in 2013. The project was designed to create sustainable livelihood opportunities in drought-prone regions. The newly incorporated Marathvarhad MPO will now oversee VMDDP operations, strengthening its impact.
A Decade-Long Dairy Development Effort
NDDB and the Government of Maharashtra signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2013 to address the agricultural challenges in Vidarbha and Marathwada by promoting dairy farming as a stable income source. In 2016, NDDB entrusted Mother Dairy, a wholly owned subsidiary, with providing market access to dairy farmers under VMDDP. The project has since grown, collecting 4 lakh liters of milk daily from approximately 35,000 farmers across ten districts, including Akola, Amravati, Wardha, Nagpur, Chandrapur, Buldhana, Nanded, Osmanabad, Latur, and Jalna.
Currently, 2,500 Milk Pooling Points (MPPs) are operational across these districts, ensuring efficient milk collection and fair compensation for farmers. The strong participation of dairy farmers highlights the project’s success in fostering trust and economic stability.
Formation of Marathvarhad MPO
Recognizing the potential for further expansion, the women-led Marathvarhad MPO was officially incorporated on January 9, 2025, with its headquarters in Nagpur. The organization aims to extend its presence across 6,000 villages in Vidarbha and Marathwada, enrolling 1.85 lakh women dairy farmers as members.
Marathvarhad MPO will integrate the existing VMDDP framework while operating under NDDB Dairy Services (NDS), a not-for-profit subsidiary with expertise in facilitating farmer-owned organizations. The MPO will focus on milk procurement, while Mother Dairy will continue handling market access and distribution.
Empowering Women Through Transparent Systems
To ensure financial independence and economic empowerment, Marathvarhad MPO plans to implement an automated, transparent milk collection system. This system will facilitate timely payments directly to the bank accounts of women members, reducing financial dependency and promoting stability.
Additionally, the MPO will provide technical support services, including doorstep delivery of quality feed and fodder to improve milk productivity. Capacity-building programs for producer directors, members, and stakeholders will further strengthen the sector’s growth.
With its ambitious vision and strategic approach, Marathvarhad MPO is set to revolutionize dairy farming in Maharashtra, fostering economic opportunities for women and promoting a sustainable, farmer-driven dairy ecosystem.
