Women-Led Dairy Cooperatives in Gujarat Cross ₹9,000 Crore in Income: How the Cooperative Model Became a Beacon of Empowerment

Gujarat has emerged as a national model for women empowerment through the cooperative movement, with women-led dairy cooperatives generating an impressive ₹9,000 crore in annual revenue. This transformation reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of empowering rural women to drive India’s journey toward self-reliance, a vision actively supported by Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.

Women at the Helm: Growth in Dairy Cooperatives

On the occasion of International Cooperative Day, the Gujarat government released compelling statistics showcasing the increasing role of women in the dairy and cooperative sectors:

• Number of women-run dairy cooperatives increased by 21%, from 3,764 in 2020 to 4,562 in 2025.

• 25% of board members in Gujarat’s milk unions are now women, indicating rising participation in decision-making roles.

• Membership of women in dairy cooperatives has reached 12 lakh, making up 32% of the total 36 lakh milk producers in the state.

Rising Leadership in Rural Cooperatives

The number of women in management committees of rural cooperative societies has grown significantly:

• 14% increase in women representatives, from 70,200 in 2020 to 80,000 in 2025.
  These women now play active roles in governance, operations, and monitoring at the grassroots level.

Soaring Milk Procurement and Economic Impact

According to GCMMF (Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation), milk procurement by women-run dairies surged:

• From 41 lakh liters per day (LPD) in 2020 to 57 lakh LPD in 2025 — a 39% jump.

• This accounts for 26% of total milk procurement in Gujarat today.

Income Growth: A 43% Rise in Just 5 Years

Women-run milk cooperatives are now major economic players:

• In 2020: Daily income was ₹17 crore, annual turnover around ₹6,310 crore.

• In 2025: Daily income reached ₹25 crore, pushing annual earnings past ₹9,000 crore.
  This reflects a ₹2,700 crore increase, or a 43% rise, in just five years — a testament to the success of Gujarat’s women-centric cooperative model.