Lok Sabha Question No. 1659 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Support for Women in Dairy Sector
Ministry: COOPERATION
Asked by: Dr. Gumma Thanuja Rani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COOPERATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.   1659 TO BE ANSWERED ON  10 th  FEBRUARY, 2026

## SUPPORT FOR WOMEN IN DAIRY SECTOR

## 1659. DR. GUMMA THANUJA RANI:

Will the Minister of COOPERATION ( सहकारिता मंत्री) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether 'White Revolution 2.0' includes a significant focus on empowering women engaged in dairy farming;
- (b) whether the initiative addresses issues of malnutrition and provides budgetary support for women in the dairy sector; and
- (c)  if  so,  the  details  thereof,  including  the manner the Government plans to implement these measures and monitor their impact on women farmer?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF COOPERATION सहकारिता मंत्री (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 will be brought under organized dairy cooperative sector for empowerment of women.

******