Centre boosts Women-led Cooperatives to Power Rural Growth

The Centre has intensified its push to strengthen women-led cooperative societies, positioning them as a vital engine for inclusive and participatory economic growth, especially in rural and economically weaker regions.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah stated that the government is promoting cooperatives with a focused approach on women, farmers, and rural communities. The creation of the Ministry of Cooperation has further accelerated initiatives aimed at expanding and empowering the cooperative ecosystem across the country.
The government is actively encouraging the formation of women-led cooperative societies in sectors such as dairy, agriculture, handicrafts, and rural enterprises. These initiatives are supported through capacity building, training programmes, and financial assistance, implemented in convergence with multiple ministries.

A significant thrust has been placed on the dairy sector under the White Revolution 2.0. The government plans to establish 75,000 new dairy cooperative societies while strengthening over 46,000 existing ones. These efforts are expected to boost women’s participation, generate employment opportunities, and enhance rural livelihoods.

The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), operating under the Ministry of Cooperation, is spearheading several women-focused schemes aligned with cooperative-led development.

Under the Swayam Shakti Sahakar Yojana, financial assistance is provided to women cooperatives for income-generating activities, entrepreneurship development, and capacity building. The scheme also enables cooperatives to extend loans to women self-help groups.

Similarly, the Nandini Sahakar Scheme offers financial support exclusively to women-led cooperatives engaged in dairy, livestock, food processing, and allied sectors, aiming to enhance women’s role in cooperative enterprises.

Additionally, the Yuva Sahakar Yojana promotes young women entrepreneurs by supporting cooperative ventures in emerging sectors, offering interest subvention and easier access to finance.