The Impact of Dairy Cooperative on Women Empowerment: A Case of KISHAN Dairy Coop in West Bengal, India

Abstract

India produces only five percent of the total quantity of milk produced this amount is too inadequate to meet the country's demand. As a result, many dairy cooperatives have been formed to meet local demand and to develop dairy industry. It has been noticed that for small farmers, livestock production is a family operation and most of the livestock management is carried out by women. Nevertheless, little research has been conducted on the role of dairy cooperatives on women's empowerment or the role of women in dairy farming in rural areas. This paper examines how dairy activities can empower rural women by analyzing dairy activities of KISHAN cooperative in India. Focusing on the three dimensions of women's empowerment, this paper measures the extent of women's empowerment. This paper also analyses the factors contribute to women empowerment. Key Words: Dairy Cooperative; Women Empowerment; India DOI: 10.4038/suslj.v7i1.1844 Sabaragamuwa University Journal vol. 07 no.1, 2007 pp 64-77