Women at the heart of dairy progress in India

Govind in Maharashtra, India, empowers rural women dairy farmers with low-cost, practical technologies for sustainable milk production. In collaboration with PUM, an ecosystem approach was introduced, including a comprehensive training programme covering animal health, feed, calf rearing and milk quality. PUM experts also organised train-the-trainer sessions for Govind’s staff so that knowledge can be transferred locally and embedded for long-term impact.

PUM Impact Awards 2025

In 2025, Govind was honoured as one of the six winners of the PUM Impact Awards. The awards spotlight SMEs and their PUM collaborations that show meaningful, scalable progress in sustainable economic development. The Govind–PUM partnership stood out for its structured, women-focused dairy training programme, which improved food safety, productivity and entrepreneurship across several districts in rural Maharashtra. By strengthening cow comfort, feed quality, calf rearing and farm hygiene, the project achieved clear results: an increase of 0.5 to 1.5 litres of milk per cow per day, lower calf mortality and a substantial reduction in antibiotic use. Reaching 100 women from 10 villages in Govind’s jurisdiction, with the potential to ultimately benefit around 20,000 women, the project contributed to more resilient dairy production centred on female farmers; an essential force in India’s food security and rural income. PUM’s multidisciplinary team provided practical, hands-on training, while Govind’s staff, extension workers , feed mill personnel and local veterinarians were trained to pass on this knowledge and continue supporting farmers in the years to come.

A structured approach

PUM’s country and sector managers selected Govind as the local partner for a Dairy Development Programme in Maharashtra. This programme aims to strengthen the regional dairy sector by addressing the key challenges faced by farmers, processors and service providers in a coordinated, step-by-step way.

In the first phase of the project, PUM experts conducted farm assessments and designed targeted training for the women dairy entrepreneurs in Govind’s network. During two projects in 2024 and further activities in 2025 and 2026, farmer groups received practical guidance on improving cow comfort, producing better-quality silage, strengthening calf rearing and enhancing overall hygiene to reduce disease and antibiotic use. At the same time, Govind’s staff and extension workers were trained in modern dairy practices and introduced to tools such as Rumen8 for locally adapted feed formulation. This approach ensured that knowledge was firmly rooted within the organisation and could be passed on well beyond the initial groups. The impact was immediate: even small farms with five to six cows saw higher yields and better herd health, leading to an average income increase of €50 per family per month and greater economic independence for the women running these enterprises.

Social and ecological sustainability

The collaboration supported more than technical improvements. It strengthened confidence among women farmers, enabled them to expand their farms, and reduced labour requirements through more efficient routines. Training was delivered in local language and directly in the villages, ensuring accessibility for women with limited mobility or formal education.

Ecologically, the adoption of clean milking practices, better feeding and reduced antibiotic use contributed to healthier herds and safer milk. Govind also promotes biogas production, circular use of manure, and loose-housing systems that improve animal welfare and reduce disease. These practices enable women to run farms that are not only more profitable but also more sustainable.

PUM’s contribution acted as a catalyst; accelerating learning, motivating Govind’s staff and energising farmer groups. Women learned not only from the PUM experts but also from one another as they shared solutions, compared farm improvement plans and gained confidence in their role as entrepreneurs.

Digital capacity and new training phases

Building on the strong foundation, Govind and PUM will continue their collaboration with an enhanced focus on digital tools and data-based dairy management. At the moment, PUM experts are delivering an online preparation programme for Govind’s staff. This introduces digital recordkeeping, data analysis, and the Uniform-Agri management app, which can be used on mobile phones at farm and milk collection centre level.

These online sessions will set the stage for a two-week visit in 2026, where PUM experts – an agronomist, veterinarian and nutritionist – will guide practical implementation on pilot farms. Training will cover feed quality, animal health, milk quality, reproduction, data-driven extension services and communication skills.