Cooperative Milk Revolution Accelerates: Lakhs of New Societies Form as Government Pushes Dairy Sustainability Goals

Cooperative Milk Revolution Accelerates: Lakhs of New Societies Form as Government Pushes Dairy Sustainability Goals​

The government has significantly advanced its initiative under White Revolution 2.0, focusing heavily on transforming and strengthening India's dairy sector. This crucial program aims to promote circularity and sustainability throughout the industry while expanding cooperative reach across rural communities. Nationally, the efforts have resulted in the formation of 24,097 new Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCS) and the successful strengthening of 31,394 existing DCSs to enhance cooperative milk procurement.

The initiatives under White Revolution 2.0 prioritize extending dairy cooperative activities into villages and panchayats that were previously underserved by established cooperatives. This targeted expansion ensures that rural communities nationwide, including in states like Maharashtra and Bihar, benefit directly from the growth of organized dairy farming.

Strengthening Infrastructure and Promoting Circularity​

To build a resilient and integrated dairy ecosystem, several key measures have been implemented to bolster cooperative strength. These efforts include providing vital funding support for essential infrastructure upgrades across the sector. This support covers Bulk Milk Coolers, Automatic Milk Collection Units, testing equipment, processing capabilities, chilling infrastructure, and necessary working capital.

Crucially, two new multi-state cooperative societies (MSCS) have been established to drive sustainability and circularity in dairy management. The Gomay Sahkari Samiti Multi-State Limited (BGSSL) has been created specifically for scientific manure management, encompassing biogas production and organic fertilizers. Furthermore, the Cooperative Inputs and Services Delivery Multi-State Limited (CISDL) ensures affordable access to essential input services such as feed, breeding, fodder, animal health support, and technical guidance.

State-Level Targets Highlight Growth in Bihar and Maharashtra​

The initiative assigns specific state-wise targets for both the formation of new DCSs and the strengthening of existing societies. The performance data for two major states, Bihar and Maharashtra, demonstrates substantial progress against these ambitious goals across multiple fiscal years.

For the 2024-25 period, Bihar had a target of 2320 for new DCS formation, achieving 2222, while it aimed to strengthen 610 existing societies. The state achieved 260 in strengthening efforts for that year. Meanwhile, Maharashtra saw a major achievement in new DCS formation, surpassing the target with 735 generated against a target of 133.

The targets remain aggressive for the subsequent period. For 2025-26, Bihar has set targets to form 3000 new societies and strengthen 2985 existing ones. Maharashtra’s targets are also high, aiming for 913 new DCS formations against a target of 316, and intending to strengthen 419 existing societies.

Outcomes: How White Revolution 2.0 Empowers Farmers​

The measures undertaken through this revolution are designed not just for market growth but for fundamental socio-economic transformation among dairy farmers. These initiatives directly seek to provide fair remunerative prices and guaranteed market access to small dairy farmers nationwide.

A major focus area is increasing farmer income by actively promoting sustainable practices across the industry. The goal of establishing a complete circularity ecosystem in dairy production aims to create long-term economic stability for participants. Furthermore, the program holds significant potential for social change, with measures focused on greater participation of women in the dairy ecosystem leading directly to their economic empowerment and social recognition.