ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF RURAL WOMEN THROUGH DAIRY FARMING : A CASE STUDY OF SIDHESWARI WOMEN’S MILK PRODUCERS UNION IN ODISHA

ABSTRACT Dairy development is considered as a potential scheme for rural poverty elevation in India. The focus of women diary development projects are socio economic development of the poor rural women. The Women dairy cooperatives in Odisha are becoming the driving force behind the economic empowerment of rural women women in Odisha. The present study was conducted among the selected women dairy farmers affiliated to Sidheswari Women Milk Union co-operative society of Puri district inOdisha. There is a significant change in the economic condition of the women after taking of dairy farming and joining the women dairy cooperative society. However some major constraints faced by the women farmers are sickness of dairy animals, irregular dividend payments, lack of improved breed cows, lack of full time employment opportunity in dairy and less profitability due to high price of cattle feed. Employment at home, flexible timing, contribution to family income, enhancement of social status, govt initiatives, and easy marketing are some of the factors which motivated the women farmers to take up dairy farming. KEY WORDS: Dairy farming, economic empowerment, AI services &cattle feed.