Introduction
Dairying is a critical component of rural livelihoods in India and many developing countries. Women play a central role in this sector by feeding cattle, milking animals, cleaning sheds, and managing dairy-related tasks. Despite their substantial contribution, women remain invisible in official data, policy frameworks, and ownership rights in dairying. This response explores the reasons behind this invisibility and its implications.
Women’s Role in Dairying
Women are involved in almost every aspect of dairy farming, including:
- Feeding and caring for livestock
- Milking cows and buffaloes
- Processing milk into products like ghee, curd, and butter
- Cleaning sheds and maintaining hygiene
- Marketing milk in local areas
These tasks are usually performed daily and require a significant investment of time and effort.
Reasons for Invisibility
- Informal Labor: Women’s work in dairying is often unpaid and seen as part of household duties.
- Lack of Ownership: Livestock is usually owned by male family members, so women’s labor is not officially recorded.
- Exclusion from Cooperatives: Many dairy cooperatives and milk societies are male-dominated, and women are excluded from decision-making roles.
- Absence in Data: Official agricultural surveys and censuses often fail to capture women’s contributions in dairying.
Impact of Invisibility
- No Recognition: Women do not receive acknowledgment or benefits such as training or subsidies.
- No Financial Independence: Income from dairying goes to male members, limiting women’s financial control.
- Missed Opportunities: Lack of access to technology, credit, and markets keeps women stuck in low-productivity roles.
Conclusion
The invisibility of women in dairying reflects broader gender inequalities in rural economies. Recognizing women’s role, giving them ownership rights, involving them in cooperatives, and offering training and financial support are essential to make dairying more equitable and productive. Empowering women in this sector will benefit not just families but the dairy industry as a whole.