Women participation in dairy biz growing: Amrita Patel

Women participation in the dairy sector is set to cross 50 per cent mark in the next 10 years, said Dr. Amrita Patel, chairperson, National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) here during the installation ceremony of chairperson and co-chairperson of business women committee at Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI).

"Currently, women comprise around 29 per cent of the total members of milk unions. This is expected to cross 50 per cent mark in the next 10 years. In rural economy, farms and cattle are the two most important factors for the livelihood. While contribution of men in farming activity is high, women have started ruling the milk business," she said during her address to the function.

“A co-operative organisation should be free of politics and there should be no political interference in the management of a cooperative. It should be autonomous body,” she said while commenting on the political interference in the cooperative organizations in the other states.

Stating that the Indian dairy sector is growing at a healthy rate and the demand of milk and milk-based products is also increasing, she said since milk business is managed by women, their health and wellness is very much important for the business.