Patna: Bihar is preparing to strengthen its dairy sector and promote women’s empowerment through the ‘Sudha Sakhi’ initiative launched by the Bihar State Milk Cooperative Federation Limited (COMFED). The initiative aims to bring more rural women into dairy production and livestock management while improving access to veterinary services at the village level.
Under the programme, Sudha Sakhis will serve as an important link between livestock farmers and veterinary doctors, helping farmers access primary animal healthcare, information on balanced animal feed, artificial insemination and scientific animal husbandry practices.
The initiative is part of the state’s ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi’ programme under the government‘s Saat Nischay-3 framework. Bihar aims to expand the network of Sudha Sakhis across all 8,053 panchayats in the state.
Sudha Sakhi Initiative to Cover 8,053 Panchayats
The Bihar government plans to select one Sudha Sakhi for every panchayat during the current financial year, with the target of completing the selection process across all 8,053 panchayats by next year.
In the first phase, women selected from all 38 districts participated in a six-day residential training programme organised at COMFED’s auditorium in Patna from August 31 to September 5, 2026.
During the training, participants received instruction in primary veterinary care, balanced animal nutrition, artificial insemination and scientific livestock management.
After completing their training, the women are expected to begin working in their respective villages, helping livestock farmers obtain essential information and connect with veterinary professionals.
The initiative is expected to improve access to primary animal healthcare in rural areas and support better livestock management, which could contribute to higher milk production.
Read also: Bihar Women Entrepreneurs Build ₹1.5 Crore Business, Create Jobs Through Government Support
How Sudha Sakhis Will Help Livestock Farmers
Sudha Sakhis will act as the first point of contact for livestock farmers at the panchayat level. Their role will include providing basic guidance on animal health and nutrition and connecting farmers with veterinary doctors for further assistance when required.
Their work is expected to focus on several key areas:
- Primary animal healthcare: Helping livestock farmers access basic animal health services and veterinary guidance.
- Balanced animal nutrition: Educating farmers about appropriate feed and nutritional practices for livestock.
- Artificial insemination: Providing information and facilitating access to relevant livestock breeding services.
- Scientific animal husbandry: Promoting improved livestock management practices to support productivity.
- Veterinary service access: Bridging the gap between rural livestock owners and veterinary professionals.
The initiative is designed to benefit both rural women and livestock farmers. While women will gain opportunities for self-reliance and income generation, farmers will be able to access essential guidance and services closer to their villages.
Sudha Sakhis will not be regular government or cooperative employees, nor will they be appointed on a contractual employment basis. Instead, they will work as local women service providers under a commission- or incentive-based arrangement.
Bihar Government Targets Higher Women’s Participation in Dairy Sector
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary recently reviewed the initiative and announced measures to increase women’s participation in animal husbandry and the dairy sector.
Currently, approximately 12 lakh farmers in Bihar are associated with milk production. The state government aims to increase this number to more than 50 lakh.
Women will be connected with the dairy sector through multiple channels, including Sudha Sakhis, Jeevika Sudha sales centres and milk collection centres.
At the national level, women account for approximately 70% of participation in the dairy sector. Bihar aims to increase women’s participation to 80%, according to the information provided by the state government.
These measures are intended to expand women’s economic participation while strengthening the rural dairy ecosystem and improving opportunities for income generation.
Women to Receive Financial Assistance for Sudha Sales Centres
The state government is also encouraging women to establish Sudha sales centres under the Chief Minister’s Women Employment Scheme.
Women opening these centres are being provided financial assistance of approximately ₹60,000 through the second and third instalments combined.
The government plans to select women to operate one Sudha sales centre in every panchayat through a lottery-based process. In the future, the programme is expected to expand further into villages.
The sales centres are intended to strengthen the distribution of dairy products while creating additional livelihood opportunities for rural women.
Veterinary Medicine Centres Planned in All 534 Blocks
Alongside the Sudha Sakhi initiative, Bihar has launched a drive to establish veterinary medicine sales centres in all 534 blocks of the state.
The move aims to bring veterinary medicines and related facilities closer to livestock owners, reducing the difficulties farmers may face in accessing essential animal healthcare services.
Together with the Sudha Sakhi network, these centres are expected to strengthen the availability of veterinary guidance, medicines and livestock management support in rural areas.
Around 7,000 Jeevika Didis Already Trained in Dairy and Animal Husbandry
Before the expansion of the Sudha Sakhi initiative, COMFED and Jeevika had jointly trained approximately 7,000 Jeevika Didis in dairy farming and animal husbandry.
These trained women, known as Pashu Sakhis, are now helping members of self-help groups (SHGs) in their respective villages learn about livestock management and related practices.
During the initial phase of the animal husbandry programme, Pashu Sakhis, livelihood specialists and Cluster-Level Federation (CLF) nodal officials from each block received district-level training. COMFED and Jeevika also selected district-level nodal officers to coordinate the training activities.
This existing network is expected to support the state’s wider efforts to improve livestock care and expand women’s participation in animal husbandry.
Training to Expand Beyond Dairy Farming
According to the Animal and Fisheries Resources Department, the role of trained Pashu Sakhis will extend beyond dairy farming in the coming years.
They are also expected to provide specialised training to women involved in rearing sheep, goats, pigs and other small livestock.
The broader objective is to help rural women diversify their livestock-based livelihoods, improve animal management practices and explore additional income-generating opportunities.
Sudha Sakhi Initiative Aims to Strengthen Bihar’s Rural Dairy Economy
Through the Sudha Sakhi initiative, Bihar aims to build a village-level support network that connects livestock farmers with veterinary services and scientific animal husbandry practices.
With one Sudha Sakhi planned for every panchayat, the programme seeks to improve access to animal healthcare, support milk production, create service-based livelihood opportunities for women and increase their participation in the dairy sector.
The expansion of trained Pashu Sakhis, Sudha sales centres and veterinary medicine outlets is expected to complement these efforts and strengthen Bihar’s rural dairy and livestock economy.
Read also: Bihar’s JEEViKA Completes 20 Years, Connects 1.81 Crore Rural Households Through Women’s SHGs
