Gujarat’s cooperative sector has recorded increased participation of women in dairy cooperatives over the past five years (2020–2025). Government data shows the number of women-led dairy cooperatives has grown by 21%, from 3,764 to 4,562, crossing ₹9000 crore annual revenue.
Reports from the Gujarat Cooperative Department indicate that at the governance level, women hold 25% of director positions across milk unions, with 82 women currently serving on decision-making boards. This representation extends to grassroots management committees, where women’s participation has increased by 14%, from 70,200 to 80,000 members. The International Day of Co-operatives is celebrated on the first Saturday of July every year.
These women are now actively taking on key responsibilities such as policymaking, operations, and monitoring at the grassroots cooperative level.
Operational data also shows women-led cooperatives have boosted their milk procurement by 39%, from 41 lakh litres per day (LPD) in 2020 to 57 lakh LPD in 2025. This volume now represents 26% of Gujarat’s total daily milk collection through cooperatives.
According to officials, women-led dairy cooperatives in Gujarat have not only become a symbol of social transformation but also a significant contributor to the rural economy. Financially, these cooperatives have seen their daily income rise from ₹17 crore to ₹25 crore, translating to annual earnings growth from ₹6,310 crore to over ₹9,000 crore – a 43% increase that adds ₹2,700 crore to the rural economy.
They said that this development aligns with the cooperative sector reforms initiated by the central government and implemented by the Gujarat administration.
Published – July 05, 2025 08:38 am IST
