Hindustan Zinc’s Sakhi Microenterprise Records 43% Growth in Women’s Income
Partnership with Le Marche takes Sakhi products to urban markets; new millet production unit established in Dariba
More than 420 Sakhi women are connected with livelihood opportunities
Udaipur, October 24, 2026: Until a few years ago, Manju Devi’s life was marked by uncertainty. After her husband died due to illness in 2019, she became solely responsible for raising their two children. To support her family, she depended on seasonal agricultural work and temporary labour.
Today, Manju Devi is associated with Hindustan Zinc’s Sakhi initiative, operating modern processing machines and earning a regular monthly income of around Rs 8,000. Her journey has made her an example of self-reliance for other women in the surrounding areas.
Manju Devi’s story reflects the changes taking place in the lives of hundreds of women through Hindustan Zinc Limited’s Sakhi Production Committee and Sakhi Microenterprise. The initiative provides sustainable livelihood and self-employment opportunities based on women’s skills.
Currently, 426 women are associated with the initiative. Their collective income increased by 43% compared with the previous year, rising from Rs 23 lakh in FY2026 to Rs 32.84 lakh.
Sakhi Expands Its Product Range and Production Network
The growth of Sakhi Microenterprise is also reflected in the expanding product portfolios of its brands, ‘Daychi’ and ‘Upaya’. Daychi offers products such as pickles, honey, spices, pulses, savoury snacks, oil and ghee, while Upaya focuses on apparel products.
Through 14 production units operating across Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, women are producing traditional goods alongside crochet products, groundnut oil and millet-based products. This expansion is creating opportunities to reach new markets and increase their earnings.
New Millet Production Unit Established in Dariba
A new millet production unit has been established in Dariba to create further opportunities for women. The unit will engage women in producing value-added food products while encouraging local employment and entrepreneurship.
It will also promote the use of traditional and locally available grains, supporting the development of products based on local resources.
Partnership with Le Marche Opens Urban Markets
Sakhi Microenterprise is expanding beyond local markets and taking its products to consumers at the national level. Through its partnership with Le Marche, Sakhi products are now available at three stores in Delhi.
The products are also available through Blinkit, Amazon, Flipkart, the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and Sakhi’s own e-commerce platform, ‘Hearts with Fingers’.
These channels provide women entrepreneurs with access to a wider consumer base and new opportunities to increase their income.
Promoting Women’s Self-Reliance and Sustainable Livelihoods
The core objective of the Sakhi initiative is to promote self-reliance. By building on local skills, resources and entrepreneurship, the initiative aims to strengthen the economic position of women and rural communities while preserving traditional skills and encouraging the use of local resources.
Through an expanding network of production centres and a wider range of products, Sakhi Microenterprise continues to work towards women’s economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods.
Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group company, runs social development programmes in education, skill development, women’s empowerment, healthcare, environmental conservation and sustainable livelihoods.
With a presence across more than 4,100 villages, the company states that its initiatives are bringing positive change to the lives of more than 2.6 million people. It remains committed to inclusive development in line with its sustainability goals for 2030.
FAQ Section
1. What is Sakhi Microenterprise?
Sakhi Microenterprise is an initiative of Hindustan Zinc Limited that provides women with livelihood and self-employment opportunities through production activities.
2. How many women are associated with Sakhi Microenterprise?
A total of 426 women are currently associated with the initiative.
3. How much has the collective income of Sakhi women increased?
Their collective income increased by 43%, from Rs 23 lakh in FY2026 to Rs 32.84 lakh.
4. How much does Manju Devi earn each month?
Manju Devi earns approximately Rs 8,000 per month by operating modern processing machines.
5. Which brands are associated with Sakhi Microenterprise?
The initiative operates the Daychi brand for food and related products and the Upaya brand, which focuses on apparel.
6. What is the purpose of the new unit in Dariba?
The millet production unit aims to create employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for women through the production of value-added food products.
7. Where are Sakhi products available?
Sakhi products are available at three Le Marche stores in Delhi and through Blinkit, Amazon, Flipkart, ONDC and the Hearts with Fingers e-commerce platform.
8. What are the main areas of Hindustan Zinc’s social development programmes?
The company runs programmes in education, skill development, women’s empowerment, healthcare, environmental conservation and sustainable livelihoods.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
