The Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad cooperative not only provides a sustainable income for over 45,000 women across India but also fosters financial independence and community spirit since its inception in 1959.
Empowering Women Through Tradition: The Success of Lijjat Papad
Empowering Women Through Tradition: The Success of Lijjat Papad
A cooperative in India, founded by women for women, transforms lives through the production of traditional snacks.
On a chilly December morning, a group of women draped in colorful saris and warm shawls gathered outside the bustling surroundings of a three-storey building in Delhi. This structure houses a unit of one of India's pioneering social enterprises, the Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad—established in 1959 by seven housewives. The initiative began with the production of papad, a crispy and savory snack essential to Indian cuisine. Now, over sixty years later, the cooperative extends its reach across India, boasting more than 45,000 women members and an annual turnover of 16 billion rupees ($186 million).
The women in the cooperative work mainly from home, crafting a range of products from chapatis to detergents, but the Lijjat brand of poppadoms stands out as a beloved item. "Lijjat is a temple for us. It helps us earn money and feed our families," explains 70-year-old Lakshmi, a manager at the Delhi center. Lakshmi joined Lijjat about 40 years ago after the passing of her husband, leading her to seek sustainable work. The cooperative has been a transformative experience, allowing her to provide for her family.
Every morning, women members take a cooperative-hired bus to collect pre-mixed dough made from lentils and spices, which they later roll into papad at home. Lakshmi recalls how initially, it took her four to five hours to produce 1 kilogram of papad, whereas now she can complete that task in just half an hour. The Mumbai headquarters oversees the procurement and mixing of ingredients, before distributing them to various centers across the country.
The cooperative originated at a time when India was recovering from its independence and women faced significant societal challenges. The founders of Lijjat—the original seven housewives—aimed to harness their cooking skills and work from the comfort of their homes while supporting their families.
The initial hurdle was securing funding for ingredients, which they achieved through the help of social worker Chhaganlal Karamshi Parekh. With his support and a small loan, they began selling papad, only to face difficulties in getting shopkeepers to carry their product. Their perseverance paid off as one shopkeeper began purchasing their poppadoms, sparking increased demand.
Today, the cooperative operates as a model of collective ownership, where each woman is seen as a co-owner rather than an employee. President Swati Paradkar emphasizes this unique perspective, stating, "We are all co-owners and have equal rights." This structure fosters a sense of unity and shared goals among the women.
In 1966, after years of production without a brand name, the cooperative received guidance from the Khadi Development and Village Industries Commission on establishing a brand. The name "Lijjat," which translates to "taste" in Gujarati, reflects their product's quality and has since gained widespread recognition.
The impact of the cooperative extends beyond financial gain, as generations of women have achieved independence and self-respect. As Lakshmi proudly shares, “I have put my children through school, built a house, and got them married,” illustrating the profound changes that the cooperative has fostered within her life and community.
