Gandhinagar: Gujarat has emerged as a leading example of women’s empowerment in rural India, with a substantial rise in women’s participation and leadership in dairy cooperatives. Marking a 21% increase in women-led dairy cooperative societies over the past five years, the state is witnessing a strong shift towards inclusive growth driven by women’s active involvement.
Under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leadership from Union Home & Cooperation Minister Amit Shah and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the cooperative model has been harnessed to strengthen women’s economic and social roles, particularly in the dairy sector.
32% of Dairy Producers in Gujarat Are Women; 25% Women Directors on Milk Union Boards
According to the Gujarat Cooperation Department, out of 36 lakh dairy producer members in the state, around 12 lakh—or roughly 32%—are women. In 2025, women hold 25% of the board positions in various milk unions, with 82 women directors actively participating in governance and policy-making.
At the grassroots level, women’s representation in management committees of village cooperative societies has also grown by 14%, rising from 70,200 to 80,000 members. These women play key roles in decision-making, operations, and oversight, reflecting a transformative change in the traditionally male-dominated cooperative sector.
Milk Procurement by Women-Led Cooperatives Increases by 39% to 57 Lakh Litres Per Day
Data from the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Limited (GCMMF) reveals a 39% rise in milk procurement by women-led dairy cooperatives between 2020 and 2025. Milk collection by these cooperatives has surged from 41 lakh litres per day to 57 lakh litres per day, accounting for about 26% of the state’s total milk procurement.
This surge highlights the growing influence of women producers in the dairy value chain and underscores their contribution to Gujarat’s position as a dairy powerhouse.
Annual Revenue of Women-Led Dairy Cooperatives Surpasses ₹9,000 Crore with 43% Growth
Women-led dairy cooperatives have not only driven social empowerment but have also become vital economic engines for rural Gujarat. In 2020, daily revenues stood at approximately ₹17 crore, resulting in an annual turnover of around ₹6,310 crore.
By 2025, daily revenues increased to ₹25 crore, pushing the annual revenue beyond ₹9,000 crore—a remarkable growth of 43%. This financial milestone demonstrates the success of cooperative initiatives in uplifting women economically and promoting sustainable rural development.
Government and Leadership Commitment Strengthens Women’s Role in Rural Economy
The Gujarat government’s consistent focus on cooperative development and women’s leadership aligns with the broader national agenda of building a self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat). The state’s progress is a testament to the power of cooperative models in fostering inclusive growth and empowering women to lead change at multiple levels.
