Empowering Rural Women Through White Revolution 2.0: a Study of India’s Dairy Cooperative Sector

Abstract

India presently holds the position of the world's leading dairy producer, contributing over 25% of global milk production, and the Indian Government aims to augment milk production and processing under the newly launched White Revolution 2.0 initiative. This program, launched by the Ministry of Cooperation in 2024, is inspired by the legacy of Operation Flood (India’s groundbreaking White Revolution) and seeks to modernize, expand, and enhance dairy cooperatives across the country. ‘White Revolution 2.0' posits that dairy agriculture will promote women's empowerment and alleviate hunger. The increased availability of milk will mostly benefit disadvantaged and malnourished children. The eradication of child malnutrition is primarily dependent on the efforts of mothers rather than governmental interventions. The White Revolution 2.0 would promote the official employment of women engaged in milk procurement by guaranteeing that payments are deposited into their bank accounts. The program aims to enhance cooperative procurement from the present 660 lakh liters per day to 1,000 lakh liters. Our mothers and sisters are associated with dairy production, especially cooperative dairies. Thirty-six lakh women in Gujarat engage in the dairy sector, producing a cumulative revenue of ₹60,000 crore