Women in Punjab are attaining economic independence, thanks to milk cooperative societies. There are as many as 950 women milk cooperative societies functioning in the state. These societies, which are associated with the milk producers’ unions of Milkfed, are offering a regular income between Rs 4,000-6,000 per month to these women.
Interestingly, where a number of milk cooperative societies formed by men have repeatedly failed due to village and party politics, the societies formed by women in the same villages have proved to be a big success. Studies have shown that the performance of women societies in terms of member participation, contribution and other activities is better than those formed by men.
“In various villages, the cooperative societies formed by men repeatedly became defunct. But cooperative societies formed by women in these same villages are now flourishing and the members have a regular income,” said Raghbir Singh Saharan Majra, director of the Ludhiana District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union.
Learning from these villages, women in other areas of the state are also becoming aware of the benefits of coming together to form milk cooperative societies. HS Grewal, general manager of the Ludhiana District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union, said women have always been the ones managing dairies in villages, right from feeding the cattle to milking them. “The good thing is that they have now come into the organised sector and are earning from their efforts,” he added.
Kamaljeet Kaur of Jodhan village agrees that with direct involvement in the cooperative society formed in their village, she now has a regular income.
Jaswant Singh Kang, deputy manager at the Verka Milk Plant, said women’s societies continue to contribute well to the milk collection even in the summer months. “This is the period when milk production of animals goes down. Many societies formed by men stop contributing, but the women societies keep functioning even during this period,” he said. Milkfed MD VK Singh said the central and state schemes to promote women’s cooperative societies have been of much help. “We are working on a project for further promoting the women’s milk cooperative societies,? he said.
