Recently, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah chaired a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Cooperation at Banas Dairy, setting the stage for an ambitious roadmap to transform India’s dairy cooperative sector under the proposed White Revolution 2.0.
The meeting was attended by Union Ministers of State for Cooperation Krishan Pal Gurjar and Murlidhar Mohol, Members of Parliament, Cooperation Secretary Ashish Kumar Bhutani and senior ministry officials. A detailed presentation highlighted the sector’s growth trajectory, challenges, and the strategic role cooperatives can play in boosting farmer incomes and promoting sustainability.
Shah underscored that the cooperative movement remains the backbone of India’s rural economy and a powerful tool for women’s empowerment, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sahakar Se Samriddhi.” He stated that dairy cooperatives have already proven transformative for rural households and are poised to drive the next phase of economic upliftment.
Insurance Access, Stronger Networks Among Key Proposals
In a push to expand cooperative services, Shah proposed linking village dairy societies with insurance cooperatives to simplify access to motor and life insurance in rural areas. He said cooperatives should invest in each other to strengthen capital formation within the ecosystem, creating a more resilient cooperative architecture.
White Revolution 2.0 Takes Shape
The minister announced that three Multi-State Cooperative Societies have been set up to spearhead national-level interventions in the dairy sector. Backed by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, White Revolution 2.0 envisions establishing:
A cooperative dairy society in every panchayat, and
A dairy plant in every district with adequate milk availability.
The initiative is aimed at vastly expanding processing capacity, improving cold-chain access, and increasing value addition at the grassroots.
Focusing on Skill Development Through Cooperative University
Shah highlighted the newly constituted Tribhuvan Cooperative University in Anand, which will collaborate with dairy technology institutes to offer B.Sc. and M.Sc. programmes in Dairy Technology and Management. Graduates will help replicate the Banas Dairy model across India, creating a skilled workforce for the expanding cooperative network.
Soil Health, Sustainable Farming in Spotlight
Drawing on the example of Banas Dairy’s integrated approach, Shah announced plans to set up four advanced soil testing laboratories in every district. These labs will guide farmers on scientific fertilizer use—covering urea, DAP and micronutrients—to improve soil health and boost productivity.
Strengthening Cooperatives for the Next Dairy Leap
The meeting concluded with discussions on reinforcing cooperative structures and enhancing farmer support mechanisms. Shah emphasized that strengthening dairy cooperatives is essential for India’s next agricultural leap, as the country prepares to embark on White Revolution 2.0 to secure long-term growth in milk production and rural prosperity.