Dhenkanal: In a heartening success story of rural empowerment, the ‘Milk Village’ initiative by the Dhenkanal district administration is bringing financial independence and new hope to hundreds of families.
What began as an effort to revive defunct dairy cooperatives has now become a shining model of sustainable livelihood, women’s empowerment, and rural prosperity. Implemented in Sarangi Gram Panchayat of Gondia Block and Harakrishna Gram Panchayat of Sadar Block, the program has turned dairy farming into a reliable path to economic self-sufficiency.
“Dairy farming is not just a source of income — it is a pathway to rural prosperity and self-reliance,” said district officials involved in the drive. The results have been truly remarkable. As many as 350 families have been directly benefited while 340 women self-help group members are actively participating.
The number of active members in the dairy cooperatives has surged from just 32 to 81. Daily milk collection has jumped dramatically from 110 litres to 1,620 litres. Most encouragingly, the average monthly household income from dairy activities has increased from around ₹4,000 to ₹18,000.
Under the popular Mukhya Mantri Kamdhenu Yojana (MKY), beneficiaries receive substantial subsidies — 50 percent for the general category and 60 percent for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women, and persons with disabilities — making it easier to establish dairy units with two cows.
Farmers following the 2+2 cow model are now earning approximately ₹30,000 per month from milk sales and securing a healthy net profit of ₹18,000 after expenses. The program goes beyond raw milk production. Five SHG members are producing high-value dairy products such as chhena, paneer, sweets, mogji laddoo, and khua under the PMFME scheme.
Around 60 percent of the milk is sold through cooperatives and OMFED collection centres, while the remaining 40 percent is converted into value-added products. Each participating member has also received ₹40,000 in financial assistance from the Odisha Jivika Mission.
Comprehensive support including training in animal husbandry, disease management, fodder cultivation, animal insurance, and strong market linkages has ensured the initiative’s long-term success.
The ‘Milk Village’ program has emerged as an inspiring example of how targeted interventions, government schemes, and community participation can create sustainable income sources and strengthen women’s roles in the rural economy.
Encouraged by these impressive outcomes, the Dhenkanal district administration is now planning to expand this successful model to other blocks across the district.
This is more than just a dairy project — it is a celebration of resilience, collective effort, and the quiet transformation of rural Odisha, one milk village at a time.
