Women Boost Gujarat's Dairy Sector: A Success Story

In a testament to women's growing role in the animal husbandry sector, Gujarat boasts over 4,150 women's-managed dairy cooperatives, out of more than 16,000 statewide. The state is home to over 11 lakh women engaged in various aspects of dairy farming, a figure highlighted by the Gujarat Chief Minister's office. Among Gujarat's prominent dairy operations, Banas Dairy stands out, with women significantly contributing to its daily collection of 90 lakh litres of milk. Many women, having become key economic players, reportedly earn upwards of Rs 50 lakh annually through their milk supply.

Aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for the cooperative sector, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's leadership has positioned Gujarat as a national leader in cooperative ventures. These initiatives have uplifted animal husbandry farmers, especially women, increasing their self-reliance and serving as societal inspiration. A prime example is Maniben Jesung Chaudhary from Banaskantha, whose notable achievement of Rs 1.94 crore in milk sales has set an ambitious target of Rs 3 crore for the coming year.

Daily, Maniben supplies 1,100 litres of milk to her local cooperative society. In the fiscal year 2024-25, she delivered 3,47,180 litres, achieving second place in Banaskantha's 'Best Banas Lakshmi' category. Recognized recently at a district meeting, her success story is driven by expanding her dairy operations from just a handful of cows to over 300 head of cattle, with plans for more. Supported by modern milking techniques and family involvement, her work exemplifies the spirit of Aatmanirbharta, offering a promising future for younger generations in animal husbandry.

(With inputs from agencies.)