Diyamaati FPC: Bihar’s women build a model that is changing the future of villages

In a small district of Bihar, India, thousands of rural women lived similar lives, farming, rearing goats and fulfilling family responsibilities. However, they struggled with purchasing farming materials and selling their produce through middlemen, limiting their profits. The need to build their own company arose, leading to the establishment of Diyamaati Farmer Producer Company Limited (FPC) on 28 July 2023 by its founder, Sangita Devi.

This initiative, supported by the Bihar Sustainable Livelihood Development (BSLD) project and the Samagra Shikshan Evam Vikas Sansthan (SSEVS), has connected over 2,100 women shareholders and reached nearly 4,000 rural women. According to SSEVS Secretary Siddharth Kumar, Diyamaati FPC was not formed from a grand business dream but by addressing the everyday needs of village women. By building their own company and taking decisions collectively, the women increased their income and strengthened the village economy.

The company began with ten panchayats' Self-Help Groups, with three women from each panchayat becoming promoters. The Board of Directors was elected by these 30 women. To overcome their lack of knowledge about business, the team conducted village-to-village meetings, explaining the concept of a company and providing training in financial literacy, banking, digital payments, record management, and business operations.

Diyamaati FPC expanded beyond farming to include goat-rearing, addressing the issue of poor animal health and productivity due to unbalanced animal feed. They developed a locally sourced balanced animal feed, 'Damdaar Dana,' which improved goat health, weight gain, and reproductive capacity. This not only reduced costs but also increased farmers' income and confidence.

Supported by both central and state government schemes, Diyamaati FPC has become a successful example of rural women's entrepreneurship. With over 2,100 women shareholders connected to the FPC and nearly 4,000 rural women benefiting, the company has transformed from being merely a Farmer Producer Company to a model of collective leadership and women's empowerment in rural Bihar.