Uttar Pradesh’s Dairy Conclave Boosts Women‑Led Milk Cooperatives and Direct Benefit Transfers

On September 11, 2026, the Uttar Pradesh Dairy Department hosted a three‑division dairy conclave in Jhansi. The theme – women’s participation and entrepreneurship in dairy development – wasn’t just a tagline; it set the tone for an event that felt part conference, part celebration.

Minister of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Dharm Pal Singh graced the occasion, shaking hands and listening to farmers’ stories. In a striking moment, Dairy Commissioner Dhanalakshmi K. announced that a grant of more than ₹11 crore had been transferred straight into the bank accounts of about 1,200 beneficiaries from Jhansi, Kanpur and Chitrakoot Dham divisions. The money arrived through Direct Benefit Transfer – a process that, as many locals noted, “finally puts the cash where we need it, without the middlemen.”

But the cash was only part of the picture. Under the 2022 Milk Policy, the state released another ₹13.5 crore earmarked for a suite of projects ranging from fodder development to cold‑chain infrastructure. The funds are meant to fertilise the very ground on which these new cooperatives will grow.

Speaking of cooperatives, the conclave saw 22 fresh multipurpose milk cooperatives receive official registration certificates. These bodies, many of them spearheaded by women, are expected to channel the new resources into tangible improvements – better animal health care, higher milk yields and, ultimately, stronger rural incomes.

Women’s presence was unmistakable. More than 70 % of the attendees were female, a statistic that Dhanalakshmi highlighted with pride. “The enthusiasm of over a thousand cattle rearers, farmers and budding entrepreneurs in Bundelkhand proves that indigenous cow rearing and milk production in the state have no limits,” she said, echoing similar successes previously recorded in Meerut, Agra and Bareilly.

The event also showcased the “Nand Baba Milk Mission,” a flagship initiative that ties together the DBT transfers and policy funding. While the numbers are impressive, the real story, according to many participants, is the renewed confidence that the government’s hands‑on support brings to the grassroots dairy sector.

As the conclave wound down, the buzz lingered. Farmers chatted over tea, exchanging ideas about feeding schedules, market access and the next steps for their cooperatives. If anything, the Jhansi gathering reminded everyone that dairy isn’t just a commodity – it’s a community lifeline, and with women at the helm, the future looks a lot brighter.