India’s dairy sector is substantial, with dairy cooperatives at its core, which are organizations that unite farmers for the production and sale of milk.
These cooperatives, often referred to as milk cooperatives in India on a state basis, play a crucial role as they enable farmers to increase their earnings, maintain high milk quality, and ensure that consumers receive fresh dairy products.
As of 2025, India boasts approximately 220,000 dairy cooperatives, which are not evenly distributed throughout the nation.
Let us analyze the list of dairy cooperatives in India, state by state, to understand their functioning.
This article will explore the statistics, highlight the leading milk cooperatives in India, and provide insights into why certain states excel while others fall behind.
What Are Dairy Cooperatives?
Dairy cooperatives are associations where farmers combine their milk to market it under a unified brand, such as Amul or Aavin.
They share resources, secure better pricing, and possess a more influential presence in the marketplace.
The inaugural milk cooperative society in India was Amul, established in 1946 in Gujarat, which initiated a movement known as the White Revolution, propelling India to become one of the leading milk producers globally.
For students preparing for examinations like the dairy cooperatives in India UPSC, understanding this historical context is essential!
State-Wise Breakdown of Dairy Cooperatives (2025)
According to recent estimates, the following outlines the distribution of milk cooperatives in India on a state-wise basis for 2025.
The table below illustrates the number of dairy cooperatives in each state and Union Territory (UT), ranked from the highest to the lowest.
Additionally, I have included the percentage share to indicate each state’s contribution to the national total of 220,000 cooperatives.
| Rank | State/Union Territory | Number of Dairy Cooperatives |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gujarat | 18,600 |
| 2 | Karnataka | 14,682 |
| 3 | Tamil Nadu | 10,500 |
| 4 | Maharashtra | 7,000 |
| 5 | Kerala | 9,000 |
| 6 | Uttar Pradesh | 6,500 |
| 7 | Rajasthan | 6,000 |
| 8 | Andhra Pradesh | 5,500 |
| 9 | Punjab | 4,500 |
| 10 | Odisha | 4,000 |
| 11 | Madhya Pradesh | 3,500 |
| 12 | Haryana | 3,000 |
| 13 | Bihar | 2,500 |
| 14 | Telangana | 2,000 |
| 15 | West Bengal | 1,800 |
| 16 | Uttarakhand | 1,500 |
| 17 | Jharkhand | 1,200 |
| 18 | Chhattisgarh | 1,000 |
| 19 | Assam | 800 |
| 20 | Himachal Pradesh | 600 |
| 21 | Tripura | 400 |
| 22 | Sikkim | 300 |
| 23 | Goa | 200 |
| 24 | Jammu and Kashmir | 150 |
| 25 | Puducherry | 100 |
| 26 | Delhi | 50 |
| 27 | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 0 |
| 28 | Arunachal Pradesh | 0 |
| 29 | Chandigarh | 0 |
| 30 | Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu | 0 |
| 31 | Ladakh | 0 |
| 32 | Lakshadweep | 0 |
| 33 | Manipur | 0 |
| 34 | Meghalaya | 0 |
| 35 | Mizoram | 0 |
| 36 | Nagaland | 0 |
Percentage Share of Dairy Cooperatives by State/UT
| Rank | State/Union Territory | Percentage Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gujarat | 8.45 |
| 2 | Karnataka | 6.67 |
| 3 | Tamil Nadu | 4.77 |
| 4 | Maharashtra | 3.18 |
| 5 | Kerala | 4.09 |
| 6 | Uttar Pradesh | 2.95 |
| 7 | Rajasthan | 2.73 |
| 8 | Andhra Pradesh | 2.50 |
| 9 | Punjab | 2.05 |
| 10 | Odisha | 1.82 |
| 11 | Madhya Pradesh | 1.59 |
| 12 | Haryana | 1.36 |
| 13 | Bihar | 1.14 |
| 14 | Telangana | 0.91 |
| 15 | West Bengal | 0.82 |
| 16 | Uttarakhand | 0.68 |
| 17 | Jharkhand | 0.55 |
| 18 | Chhattisgarh | 0.45 |
| 19 | Assam | 0.36 |
| 20 | Himachal Pradesh | 0.27 |
| 21 | Tripura | 0.18 |
| 22 | Sikkim | 0.14 |
| 23 | Goa | 0.09 |
| 24 | Jammu and Kashmir | 0.07 |
| 25 | Puducherry | 0.05 |
| 26 | Delhi | 0.02 |
| 27 | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 0.00 |
| 28 | Arunachal Pradesh | 0.00 |
| 29 | Chandigarh | 0.00 |
| 30 | Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu | 0.00 |
| 31 | Ladakh | 0.00 |
| 32 | Lakshadweep | 0.00 |
| 33 | Manipur | 0.00 |
| 34 | Meghalaya | 0.00 |
| 35 | Mizoram | 0.00 |
| 36 | Nagaland | 0.00 |
Why Certain States Excel in Dairy
Let us examine the leading milk cooperatives in India and the reasons behind the dominance of specific states:
Gujarat (18,600 cooperatives, 8.45%)
Gujarat stands as the leader in dairy cooperatives, primarily due to Amul, which symbolizes India’s dairy achievements.
Its cooperatives span thousands of villages, providing farmers with robust networks, advanced technology, and a vast market. The cooperative model of Gujarat is so renowned that it is frequently referenced in UPSC notes regarding dairy cooperatives in India.
Karnataka (14,682 cooperatives, 6.67%)
The Nandini brand, managed by the Karnataka Milk Federation, is a significant force in the state. Karnataka’s commitment to rural development and farmer assistance positions it as a strong contender, just behind Gujarat.
Tamil Nadu (10,500 cooperatives, 4.77%)
Aavin, the cooperative brand of Tamil Nadu, flourishes due to the state’s extensive dairy farming community and well-organized collection systems.
Maharashtra and Kerala
These states are not far behind, with brands such as Gokul and Milma. They possess robust cooperative frameworks, although they operate on a smaller scale compared to Gujarat or Karnataka.
States like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh also report substantial figures due to their high milk production and active cooperative federations.
However, the absence of cooperatives in regions like Lakshadweep or Nagaland can be attributed to factors such as small populations, challenging geography, or limited dairy farming activities, which render cooperatives less feasible.
For instance, the diminutive size and island nature of Lakshadweep leave little opportunity for large-scale dairy operations.
What is the Overall Perspective?
The statistics reveal a compelling narrative. Gujarat, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu collectively represent almost 20% of India’s dairy cooperatives.
This is a significant portion! However, 10 states and Union Territories, primarily in the Northeast or smaller UTs such as Chandigarh, lack any cooperatives whatsoever.
This highlights a disparity between states that are rich in dairy production and those where dairy is not a primary concern.
Why is this significant? Cooperatives enhance farmers’ earnings and make dairy products more accessible to consumers.
States with a higher number of cooperatives generally exhibit more robust rural economies. For instance, farmers in Gujarat benefit from higher earnings due to Amul’s ability to negotiate favorable prices.
Conversely, states like Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram are at a disadvantage due to the absence of such cooperative frameworks.
Obstacles and Prospects
Even the leading states encounter challenges. Cooperatives require improved technology, such as cold storage facilities, and additional training for farmers to enhance milk quality.
In regions with no cooperatives, initiating small-scale ones could benefit local farmers, but this is challenging without governmental assistance or adequate infrastructure.
The positive aspect? India’s dairy industry is expanding rapidly, and by 2025, we may witness the emergence of new cooperatives in areas like Jharkhand or Assam, where the current numbers are low but the potential is substantial.
Interesting Tidbit: The White Revolution
The inaugural milk cooperative society in India, Amul, not only initiated a movement—it transformed lives.
Founded by Dr. Verghese Kurien, it revolutionized India from a nation struggling with milk shortages to a prominent player in the global dairy market.
Presently, cooperatives such as Amul, Nandini, and Aavin have become well-known brands, and their achievements motivate other states to strive for similar success.
Source
- Agriculture Times. (2024, March 12). India’s top 5 milk cooperatives curdle up success in 2023-24. https://agritimes.co.in/indias-top-5-milk-cooperatives-curdle-up-success-in-2023-24/
- Dervillé, M., Dorin, B., Jenin, L., & Raboisson, D. (2023). Indian dairy cooperative development: A combination of scaling up and scaling out producing a center-periphery structure. Journal of Rural Studies, 101, 103–117. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0743016723001042
- Expert Market Research. (2024, June 16). Top 10 dairy companies in India in 2025. https://www.expertmarketresearch.com/articles/top-dairy-companies-in-india
- IMARC Group. (2023, November 5). Dairy industry in India 2025 edition: Market statistics, growth. https://www.imarcgroup.com/dairy-industry-in-india
- Kumar, A., Mishra, A. K., Saroj, S., & Joshi, P. K. (2019). Impact of dairy cooperatives on income and employment: Evidence from India. Agricultural Economics Research Review, 32(2), 149–159.
- National Dairy Development Board. (n.d.). Cooperative dairying movement. https://www.nddb.coop/farmers/cooperative-dairying-movement
- Rajaram, N. (2020, March 20). Dairy cooperatives and dairy development in India. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340123456_Dairy_Cooperatives_and_Dairy_Development_in_India
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