“Indian dairy sector contributes significantly to enhancing financial inclusion and fostering sustainable development in rural communities,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Women have traditionally been engaged in dairy activities and though it is part of their domestic chores, their effort contributes significantly to the industry's output. The dairy industry helps women supplement their income and become financially independent by selling milk and other dairy products, said PM Modi.

The country’s dairy sector employs over 80 million people, of which 56 million constitute women accounting to 70 percent of the workforce. Further, women constitute the major workforce of the dairy sector in the country. 

By empowering women economically and socially, dairy farming is seen to provide women with opportunities to generate income through selling milk and dairy products. This economic activity allows them to contribute financially to their families, thereby enhancing their economic empowerment.

In an interview to Aaj Tak/India Today Group, PM Modi spoke about the role of women in agriculture and more specifically in the dairy sector. He said, “Even today, I say that in agriculture sector, 60% contribution is of women. You see the dairy work here. The money from the milk won’t go to men. It will get deposited in the account of women daily Rs 2000 crore was deposited in women’s account.”

Citing a recent example in Kashi, his Parliamentary constituency PM Modi said, he refused to open a new dairy without first opening bank accounts for women.  He spoke about women in agriculture, dairy and money going into women farmers accounts directly.