Forget diamonds—cow dung is the new gold for women in Jaunpur. The National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) has sparked a booming enterprise where self-help group (SHG) women are exporting handmade lamps and pots made from cow dung to Dubai, thanks to a lucrative deal with an international buyer.
More than 15 SHGs, comprising 150-300 members, have mastered the art of transforming gobar into stunning decor and functional items. The breakthrough agreement eliminates market hassles, offering a fixed payout of at least four rupees per piece and collection directly from their villages.
Daily output from five quintals of dung is set to hit seven as orders pour in. This productivity boost translates to roughly 6,000 rupees per woman monthly—a dramatic shift from subsistence living.
Speaking exclusively, District Self-Employment Deputy Jitendra Kumar highlighted how NRLM connects rural talent to global opportunities. The company’s commitment ensures consistent demand, building resilient income sources for these enterprising women.
Pioneering member Sunidhi formed her group in 2020 with 10 women, securing 1.1 lakh in government funds. Disciplined savings of 10 rupees daily built a three-lakh capital base, fueling expansion to 15 teams producing diverse dung crafts.
Fellow member Usha of the Devi group echoes the sentiment. From zero employment to self-sufficiency, her journey began with 1.25 lakh in aid. Now, monthly earnings look set at 6,000 rupees, inspiring a wave of ‘didi’ entrepreneurs.
Jaunpur’s dung-to-Dubai pipeline exemplifies NRLM’s impact: sustainable jobs, skill-building, and economic upliftment. This model could redefine rural development across India.