Gujarat’s Dairy Cooperatives: Powering Women’s Empowerment and Rural Growth

Across Gujarat’s villages, a quiet transformation is reshaping rural life. The state’s strong dairy cooperative model has not only improved livelihoods but also become a driving force for women’s empowerment and economic progress.

In 2025, women-led dairy cooperatives in Gujarat achieved a remarkable milestone, crossing an annual income of ₹9,000 crore. This success highlights how empowering women in the dairy sector can create lasting social and financial impact.

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The Growth Story in Numbers

Rising Participation and Leadership

• Out of 36 lakh members in Gujarat’s dairy cooperatives, 12 lakh (about one-third) are women.
• From 2020 to 2025, the number of women-led cooperatives grew by 21%, increasing from 3,764 to 4,562 societies.
• Today, 82 women hold director positions in the state’s milk unions, representing nearly 25% of board seats.
• Participation in local management committees also rose from 70,200 to 80,000 women, marking a 14% increase in five years.

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Expanding Milk Production and Revenue

• Milk collection by these cooperatives climbed from 41 lakh litres per day in 2020 to 57 lakh litres in 2025 — a 39% jump.
• Women-led societies now contribute 26% of Gujarat’s total milk procurement.
• Their combined daily income rose from ₹17 crore to ₹25 crore, pushing the annual turnover above ₹9,000 crore, a 43% growth in five years.

Why This Progress Matters

Strengthening Economic Independence

Women in rural Gujarat are moving beyond traditional roles. By managing dairy cooperatives, they gain stable income, financial literacy, and control over household decisions. This not only benefits individual families but strengthens entire communities.

Increasing Leadership Representation

The growing presence of women in management and governance has reshaped how cooperatives operate. More women in decision-making positions mean more inclusive policies, efficient operations, and a focus on long-term sustainability.

A Model for Other States

Gujarat’s success shows how the cooperative approach can uplift rural women when backed by strong institutions and supportive policies. It’s a model worth replicating across India to build a gender-inclusive rural economy.

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Key Factors Behind the Success

• Strong institutional support: Organizations like GCMMF (Amul) have encouraged women’s participation through training and leadership opportunities.
• Skill development programs: Capacity-building sessions help women understand dairy management, finances, and cooperative governance.
• Supportive state policies: Gujarat’s focus on rural development and women’s inclusion has created an enabling environment.
• Market access and branding: The cooperative network ensures fair prices and access to reliable markets for milk and dairy products.

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Challenges and the Road Ahead

Despite the achievements, women-led cooperatives face several hurdles:

• Limited access to credit and capital for expanding operations.
• Need for better market linkages to sell products at fair prices.
• Continuous training in governance and financial management.
• Adapting Gujarat’s success model to other states with different challenges.

By addressing these issues, India can replicate Gujarat’s story on a national scale — turning dairy cooperatives into a foundation for sustainable rural development and women’s empowerment.

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