Empowering Women Through Snack Production: The Lijjat Papad Success Story

Lijjat Papad, a women's co-operative founded in 1959 in Mumbai, has grown to include over 45,000 members across India, transforming lives through the production of poppadoms and other products. With a focus on home-based work, the co-operative not only provides a stable income for women but also cultivates a strong sense of community and shared ownership among its members.

On a chilly December morning in Delhi, a vibrant group of women wrapped in colorful saris gathered outside a modest three-storey building, part of a remarkable social enterprise known as Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad. Established in 1959 in Mumbai by seven determined housewives, the cooperative began by producing papad, a beloved crispy snack integral to Indian cuisine. Today, Lijjat Papad boasts over 45,000 female members nationwide and reports an impressive annual turnover of 16 billion rupees (approximately $186 million), exporting goods to markets in the UK and US.

Primarily working from home, the women of Lijjat create diverse products ranging from spices to detergents, but it is their poppadoms that capture the hearts of customers. Lakshmi, a 70-year-old center manager in Delhi, reflects on how joining the cooperative transformed her life after the loss of her husband. “Lijjat is a temple for us. It helps us earn money and feed our families,” she states. For many members like Lakshmi, the cooperative offers the dual benefit of financial independence and the flexibility to manage household responsibilities.

Each day, members board a cooperative-chartered bus to the nearest center, where they collect pre-mixed dough to prepare the papads at home. Lakshmi recalls, “Initially, it took me four to five hours to make 1 kg of dried lentil papad, but I can now do it in just half an hour.” The central office sources raw materials and distributes pre-mixed ingredients to local centers, while members handle the drying and delivery of their products for packaging and retail distribution.

The foundation of Lijjat Papad emerged during a pivotal time in India’s history, as the nation sought to rebuild after independence. In a patriarchal society, the seven women pioneers faced immense challenges while trying to establish their enterprise based on culinary skills inherited through generations. With a meager loan of 80 rupees from social worker Chhaganlal Parekh, their journey was fraught with obstacles, including initial struggles to find buyers for their snacks.

The cooperative's breakthrough came when a local shopkeeper agreed to stock their poppadoms, leading to growing demand. Over time, more women joined, not merely as employees but as co-owners, fostering solidarity and equality within the organization. Today, Ms. Swati Paradkar, the cooperative’s current president, emphasizes the importance of this model, stating, “We are all co-owners and have equal rights. We all share profits and even losses. I think that's the secret of our success.”

In 1966, prompted by the Khadi Development and Village Industries Commission, the cooperative embraced its brand identity, and a sister suggested the name “Lijjat,” which means “taste” in Gujarati. This branding pushed their product into wider markets and advanced their mission of empowering women. Generations of women have gained financial independence through Lijjat Papad, enabling them to pay for their children’s education, build homes, and foster respect in their communities.

“The work here gave me an income and dignity,” Lakshmi concludes. The success of Lijjat Papad continues to serve as an inspiring example of how the collective strength of women can transform lives.