LijjatPapad

About Lijjat Papad

Lijjat Papad is a well-known Indian papad (thin, crispy wafer) brand produced by a women’s cooperative (Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad, Jabalpur). The cooperative is widely recognised for supporting women’s empowerment by providing work and income opportunities to women members.

Business Model & Growth

Operates as a women’s worker cooperative: all the “sisters” – those who roll, knead, pack etc – are co-owners, not just employees.
From humble beginnings the organisation expanded...
Membership has grown from the initial 7 sisters to over 45,000 women across India.
The cooperative is ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 22000:2018 certified in its food production.

Origins & Founding

Founded on 15 March 1959 in the Girgaum area of Mumbai...
The founders were Jaswantiben Jamnadas Popat and others...
They started with a borrowed Rs 80 and made four packets of papad...
The name “Lijjat” (meaning “tasty” in Gujarati) was adopted in about 1962.
The founders decided not to ask for donations or charity, but to build a dignified livelihood through business.

Impact & Significance

Lijjat is not just a snack brand—it’s a symbol of women’s empowerment, financial independence, economic dignity and self-help in India.
Many of the women members produce papads from their homes or local units...
The brand emphasises quality, consistency, trust and affordability...

Why It’s Special

Combines a traditional Indian food product (papad) with a modern cooperative social enterprise model.
Shows how simple skills... can scale into large-scale economic activity...
Maintains strong brand quality and has consumer trust.
Has a legacy and story: starting from a small terrace in Mumbai, growing into a large nationwide cooperative.

Numbers & Milestones

Exports to 25+ countries and has a nationwide presence through many branches and divisions.
Turnover has grown into hundreds of crores of rupees and employs tens of thousands of women.