Banaskantha, Aug. 19 -- Women are playing an increasingly significant role in Gujarat's dairy economy, with their participation expanding from milk collection centres to the management and leadership of cooperative societies.

Over the past five years, the number of women-led dairy societies in Gujarat has risen by 21 per cent to 4,562, creating greater opportunities for women in rural communities.

In Banaskantha, the Harsiddhnagar Mahila Doodh Utpadak Sahakari Mandali is managed entirely by women. The cooperative collects, tests and sends around 2,000 litres of milk to Banas Dairy every day.

Leelaben Chaudhary, Secretary of the cooperative, said timely payments from Banas Dairy have helped women meet household needs and access various ...