‘White revolution 2.0’ to boost dairy cooperatives, Women’s Empowerment: Amit Shah

New Delhi, Mar 26: The Ministry of Cooperation has launched ‘White Revolution 2.0’, a cooperative-led initiative aimed at expanding dairy cooperative coverage, generating employment, and empowering women in the sector.

The program’s primary objective is to increase the milk procurement of dairy cooperatives by 50% over the next five years, providing market access to farmers in uncovered regions and enhancing the cooperative sector’s share in organized dairy production. Union Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, emphasised the initiative’s significance, stating: “White Revolution 2.0 will transform India’s dairy sector by strengthening cooperatives, creating new opportunities for farmers, and empowering women who form the backbone of this industry.”

To achieve its target, the ministry has outlined a two-pronged strategy: expanding the reach of dairy cooperatives and strengthening existing ones. By 2028-29, the goal is to increase milk procurement to 1,007 lakh kg per day.

Key measures taken include, establishing 75,000 new Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCSs) in uncovered villages and panchayats, strengthening 46,422 existing DCSs to improve efficiency and market access, expanding existing milk routes and developing new ones to ensure seamless procurement. The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) will oversee the implementation and coordination of activities under White Revolution 2.0.

Recognising that women constitute nearly 70% of India’s dairy farming workforce, the initiative aims to formalise their contributions by integrating them into structured cooperative frameworks. Amit Shah highlighted the role of women-led dairy cooperatives as a powerful tool for their economic and social empowerment. “Women are the backbone of India’s dairy industry, yet their contributions often go unrecognised. White Revolution 2.0 will bring them into the organised sector, providing them with market access, financial stability, and decision-making power,” Shah stated. As part of the rollout, Punjab has been assigned a target to establish 2,378 new DCSs while strengthening 2,440 existing ones. So far, 87 new DCSs have been registered in the state. The initiative is expected to not only bolster India’s dairy economy but also enhance rural livelihoods, ensuring a more inclusive and sustainable dairy sector in the years ahead.