Vaishali: Madhurapur, a village in the heart of Bihar's Vaishali district, has inspired other rural areas. This transformation is not the work of the administration or government schemes, but the tireless efforts of the village women, whose story is now a part of Bihar's school curriculum.
Located in the Bidurpur block of Vaishali, Madhurapur is traditionally known for its animal husbandry. Over 80 per cent of the village's women are now involved in cattle rearing. They handle every aspect of the process like feeding the animals, milking and transporting the milk to the cooperative centre.
The turning point for Madhurapur came 38 years ago, thanks to the courage and vision of one woman- Suman Devi. At 70, she is hailed as the driving force behind the cooperative society that transformed the village.
Suman Devi's journey began after her marriage. With her husband working as a farmer and a single cow for their livelihood, the family struggled to make ends meet. One day while sitting at the doorstep, Suman Devi looked at the cow tied in front of her house and thought- Why not start a dairy?
She shared the idea with her husband and in-laws, but it was met with scepticism. Undeterred, she gathered the village women to discuss the possibility of starting a cooperative. However, the initial response was discouraging, with many doubting the feasibility of such a venture.
Despite the doubts, Suman persisted, encouraged by her supportive family. On January 24, 1987, she founded the Madhurapur Mahila Dudh Utpadak Sahayak Samiti (Madhurapur Women's Milk Producers Cooperative). With a month's training she launched the dairy, and initially, only 10 women joined her.
Suman Devi recounts the immense challenges she faced. From societal criticism to outright rejection, her journey was far from easy. Yet, she remained steadfast. "Today, people look at me with respect," she says.
Slowly, the women began to see the potential in her idea. They started joining the cooperative, and with each passing year, more women from Madhurpur and neighbouring areas were trained, empowered, and made self-reliant.
The cooperative society has grown from a handful of women to over 500 members today. Together, they manage the dairy operations, ensuring that milk is directly sent to Bihar's capital Patna, bypassing middlemen who previously offered lower prices. The cooperative provides fair prices for milk, veterinary care for cattle, and even fodder for the cows.
The impact on the women of Madhurapur has been life-changing. 68-year-old Sharda Devi says that she handles every aspect of cattle rearing on her own- from feeding the animals to milking and transporting the milk.
She adds, "Earlier, women were not allowed to leave the house. We had to convince everyone that selling milk through the centre would bring better benefits. Today, over 500 women in Madhurapur and nearby villages are part of the cooperative, earning a steady income."
Madhu Devi, another member of the cooperative said, "I learned animal husbandry from Suman Devi, took training in Siliguri, and now I have eight cows. I even perform artificial insemination, a task traditionally handled by men." Thanks to her earnings from animal husbandry, Madhu is educating her two sons, breaking the cycle of poverty that once constrained her family.
Savita Devi and Vibha Devi, both in their 50s, are also among the many women who have witnessed the financial benefits of being part of the cooperative, with monthly incomes ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000. Vibha said, "We receive money promptly, and the cooperative also provides us with bonuses and essential supplies like fodder and buckets."
Under the cooperative's system, milk is purchased directly from farmers, ensuring fair compensation. The cooperative has grown to include 500 members, each contributing a nominal share of Rs 10 and an entry fee of Rs 1. The members elect an executive body of 13 members to manage the operations.
A Story in School Books
Madhurapur's story has not only inspired the village but also the entire state of Bihar. The Bihar government has included the story of Madhurapur Milk Producers Cooperative in school textbooks.
Neha Kumari, an 8th-grade student at the Government Middle School in Madhurapur, is excited to read about her grandmother's role in the cooperative in her school's socio-economic textbook. "We are proud to see our family's story in our books. My grandmother's work is an inspiration," Neha said.
Salvi, a teacher at the same school, believes that the story of Madhurpur serves as a powerful example for students. "It teaches our children that they can also contribute to their community's growth. The women of Madhurapur have become role models for the next generation," she said.
