Empowering Women Through Snack Co-operatives

On a brisk December morning in Delhi, women clad in vibrant saris and warm shawls gather outside a three-storey building. This is the headquarters of Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad, one of India’s oldest women-run enterprises, founded in 1959 by seven ambitious housewives in Mumbai. Originally focused on making papad, a popular Indian snack, the co-operative now comprises over 45,000 women across the country, boasting an impressive annual turnover of 16 billion rupees ($186 million) while also exporting their tasty products to markets like the UK and US. Members, like 70-year-old Lakshmi, who manages the Delhi centre, share how joining Lijjat transformed their lives from struggling to financially stable. “Lijjat is a temple for us,” she states, reflecting on how the co-op allowed her to balance work and home life while providing for her family after the death of her husband.Each day, co-operative members collect dough made from lentils and spices to roll out their much-loved papads at home, blending household chores with productive work. The process of making papads has become efficient over the years, with Lakshmi now able to produce 1 kg in just half an hour. The journey to success wasn't easy. Back in the 1950s, these determined women faced significant gender barriers and initially struggled to find markets for their product. With the support of social worker Chhaganlal Karamshi Parekh, they later secured small business loans and their first shopkeeper, who helped in spreading the word about their papads.Unlike traditional companies, the co-operative’s model emphasizes co-ownership and shared decision-making, firmly establishing camaraderie amongst its members, who affectionately refer to each other as "ben" or sister. The branding of their products took time, but a suggestion from one of their own led to the iconic name "Lijjat," which means 'taste' in Gujarati, solidifying their identity in the market.Decades on, the co-operative remains a powerful tool for women’s empowerment in India, enabling generations to achieve financial independence. Lakshmi proudly shares, “I have put my children through school, built a house, and found not just an income but respect.”