Parliament Question: Women in dairy cooperative societies

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COOPERATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2095 ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026 Women in dairy cooperative societies 2095. DR. DHARMASTHALA VEERENDRA HEGGADE: Will the Minister of Cooperation be pleased to state: (a) whether ‘White Revolution 2.0’ includes a significant focus on empowering women engaged in dairy cooperatives; (b) whether the initiative addresses issues of malnutrition and provides budgetary support for women in the Dairy Cooperative Societies; and (c) if so, the details thereof, including the manner Government plans to implement these measures and monitor their impact on women dairy farmers? Answer THE MINISTER OF COOPERATION (SHRI AMIT SHAH) (a): The Ministry of Cooperation has launched cooperative-led "White Revolution 2.0” aimed at expanding cooperative coverage, employment generation and women's empowerment with an objective "To increase the milk procurement of dairy cooperatives by 50% from the present level over next five years by providing market access to dairy farmers in uncovered areas and increasing the share of dairy cooperatives in organised sector. In absolute terms, by the end of fifth year i.e 2028-29, the milk procurement by dairy cooperatives is expected to reach 1007 lakh kg per day. The target will be achieved through two pronged strategies: i. Expanding the coverage by dairy cooperatives. ii. Deepening the reach of dairy cooperatives. (b): The initiative addresses issues of malnutrition through the following activities involve in White Revolution 2.0: - i. Setting up and strengthening of around 1,20,000 new/existing Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCS)/Multipurpose-DCS (M-DCS)/Multipurpose-PACS (M-PACS). ii. Linking these cooperatives with milk routes either by expansion of existing milk routes or by creating new milk routes.iii. Providing enabling infrastructure e.g. Automatic Milk Collection Units, Data Processing Milk Collection Units, testing equipment, Bulk Milk Coolers, etc., as per the requirement, for carrying out dairy activities. The activities envisaged under White Revolution 2.0 are funded under the National Dairy Development Program 2.0 (NPDD 2.0) of the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India. The NPDD2.0 will be implemented as per the guidelines issued by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying. (c): Under the initiative, 75,000 new DCSs are proposed to be set up in uncovered areas and 46,422 existing DCSs are to be strengthened to enhance market access, income opportunities and nutritional availability. Women play an indispensable role in India’s dairy sector, performing important work related to milking, feeding, managing cattles and ensuring animal health. Nearly 70% of the workforce in dairy farming consists of women, yet their contribution often remains undervalued due to the unorganized nature of the sector. Women led dairy cooperatives have emerged as a powerful tool for their empowerment. By setting up DCS in every uncovered panchayat/village under white revolution 2.0, more women dairy farmers are being brought under organized dairy cooperative sector for empowerment of women. ******