A Quarter-Century of Dairy-Led Change
Kutch district in Gujarat has witnessed a remarkable socio-economic transformation over the past 25 years, largely driven by the Sarhad Dairy initiative. What began as a focused effort to support milk producers in a challenging region has evolved into a strong cooperative model supporting livelihoods across border villages. The progress was highlighted during discussions linked to the Indian Dairy Association (IDA) conference held in Gandhinagar in January 2022.
Empowering Farmers in a Challenging Landscape
Sarhad Dairy operates in one of Gujarat’s most climate-sensitive and geographically challenging regions. Despite these constraints, the cooperative has enabled thousands of farmers to adopt dairying as a stable source of income. By ensuring assured milk procurement, fair pricing and technical support, Sarhad Dairy has helped reduce migration and strengthen rural resilience in border areas.
Infrastructure and Institutional Support
Over the years, the dairy has invested in village-level milk collection centres, chilling infrastructure and logistics networks. These systems have improved milk quality and reduced wastage, allowing farmers to access organised markets. Training programmes on animal health, feeding practices and clean milk production have further improved productivity and income stability.
Role of Cooperatives in Regional Development
Sarhad Dairy’s success highlights the strength of the cooperative model in inclusive development. By linking small and marginal farmers to a structured value chain, the initiative has created employment and enhanced household incomes in Kutch. The dairy has also supported women’s participation, strengthening self-help groups and promoting financial inclusion in rural communities.
Recognition at the National Level
Speakers at the IDA conference noted that Sarhad Dairy’s journey offers valuable lessons for dairy development in remote and border regions. Its experience demonstrates how institutional support, farmer ownership and long-term commitment can drive sustainable growth.
Looking Ahead
As demand for milk and value-added dairy products continues to rise, Sarhad Dairy aims to further modernise operations and expand farmer outreach. Continued focus on technology, animal health and cooperative governance will remain central to its future strategy. The transformation of Kutch through Sarhad Dairy stands as a strong example of how dairying can catalyse rural development and economic stability.
