Hindustan Zinc's Sakhi Microenterprise initiative has recorded a 43 per cent year-on-year increase in collective income, rising from Rs 2.3 million in FY26 to Rs 3.28 million, according to the company. The initiative, operated through Sakhi Utpadan Samiti, currently engages 426 women in income-generating activities across multiple production units.

The programme aims to promote financial independence by helping rural women develop entrepreneurial skills and establish sustainable livelihoods. One of its beneficiaries, Manju Devi, who previously depended on seasonal agricultural work, now operates processing machinery and earns a regular monthly income of Rs 8,000.

The initiative operates through two brands, Daichi and Upaya, comprising 14 production units across Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. Daichi offers fast-moving consumer goods, including pickles, honey, spices, pulses, savoury snacks, oils and ghee, while Upaya focuses on clothing and textile products.

The enterprise has also diversified into crochet products, groundnut oil and millet-based foods, creating additional opportunities for women to participate in value-added manufacturing.

As part of this expansion, a millet production unit has been established at Dariba, Rajasthan. The facility aims to strengthen local enterprise opportunities through the processing of traditional grains and the development of millet-based products.

To expand market access, Sakhi Microenterprise has partnered with Le Marche, making its products available across three physical stores in Delhi. The initiative also sells through e-commerce platforms, including Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), alongside its dedicated platform, Heartswithfingers.

The expansion into urban retail and digital marketplaces is expected to strengthen product visibility, improve consumer access and create additional income opportunities for participating women.

Built around the principle of 'Swavalamban', or self-reliance, the Sakhi initiative combines traditional skills with enterprise development to support economic independence and strengthen community livelihoods.

Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group company, undertakes community development programmes covering education, skill development, healthcare, women's empowerment and environmental sustainability. Its social initiatives extend across more than 4,100 villages and reach over 2.6 million people.

Through the expansion of Sakhi Microenterprise, the company aims to strengthen women-led businesses, develop rural production capabilities and create sustainable employment opportunities in local communities.