Role of Dairy Cooperative Society in Empowering Women in Rural Odisha
Abstract
In India the thrust of diary development program is to achieve socio-economic upliftment of rural women. In Odisha the Women milk producers cooperatives at the village level are operating with the aim of empowering rural women. A case study has been conducted among some selected women milk producers who are associated with siddheswari Women Milk producers co-operative society which is affiliated to Puri Milk Union (PUMUL) is operative in Puri district of Odisha. According to respondents , change in socio-economic situation of the women is remarkable after joining the women milk producers cooperative society. However they face some constraints like sickness of dairy animals, high cost of cattle feed, non availability of hybrid cows in local market, lack of fund to expand farm and less profitability in dairy business. The most important reason for joining cooperative society by these women as observed in the study are employment at own house , flexibility in timing, increase in family income, improvement in social status, better education for children and market access and economic independence.