White Revolution 2.0: Expanding India's Cooperative Dairy Sector
The Ministry of Cooperation in India has initiated White Revolution 2.0, a national program to bolster the cooperative dairy sector. The primary goal is to increase milk procurement by cooperatives by 50% within the next five years. This will be achieved by extending organized market access to regions not currently covered and by deepening the cooperative model's penetration.
By 2028-29, cooperative milk procurement is projected to reach 1,007 lakh kilograms per day. This growth strategy involves expanding cooperative coverage into new areas and enhancing the reach of existing institutions. A significant part of the plan includes the creation and strengthening of about 1.2 lakh Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCS), including new Multipurpose DCSs and PACS-based dairy units. These cooperatives will be systematically integrated with milk routes through route expansions and the establishment of new procurement corridors.
Infrastructure improvements, such as automatic milk collection units, data processing systems, testing equipment, and bulk milk coolers, are prioritized to support quality, efficiency, and traceability. These measures aim to reduce post-harvest losses, improve milk quality, and boost farmer confidence in cooperative procurement systems.
The National Dairy Development Programme 2.0 funds these activities, which are implemented by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. The program operates under standardized national guidelines to ensure uniformity in cooperative strengthening, while allowing flexibility to address region-specific challenges.
A key focus of White Revolution 2.0 is on women's participation, as they constitute around 70% of the dairy workforce in India. Despite their pivotal role, women's contributions have often been undervalued. The initiative plans to establish 75,000 new DCSs in previously uncovered areas and strengthen 46,422 existing societies, emphasizing women's involvement. This approach seeks to formally integrate more women dairy farmers into the organized cooperative framework, enhancing their economic empowerment and leadership potential.
The initiative represents more than just increased milk procurement; it marks a structural shift toward inclusive growth driven by cooperatives. By positioning women as key stakeholders and decision-makers, White Revolution 2.0 aims to redefine gender equity in India's dairy sector while bolstering the cooperative model as a catalyst for rural transformation.
