How Amul changed the lives of women in Gujarat

Managed by the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), Amul is owned by more than 3 million small farmers in the state of Gujarat. At the end of the transaction, more than 80 percent of profits are received directly by farmers.

Where the whole region has benefited from the cooperative, women have especially profited from the venture. Women in Gujarat have some level of economic independence that has not only empowered them but also allows them to participate more actively in domestic matters and decision-making.

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Most of the dairy-related activities are usually taken care of by the women of the state. They are involved mainly in the primary production stage of the chain and men mostly take care of marketing and processing. According to a report, the number of female cooperative members had increased from 0.22 million in 1981 to 3.7 million in 2008. Working at the ground level, women are the sole reasons for the success of this business model.

The co-operative movement has resulted in several women entrepreneurs empowering them to be equally contributive financially in their families. This also resulted in the improvement of the status of women, and the male female ratio. With subsequent infrastructural and educational advancement in the state, this business model was studied and appreciated by the entire world.