Women led cooperative wins International Dairy Innovation Award in Paris

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed immense pride in the success of the 'Sundarini' milk cooperative, a women-led initiative in the Sundarbans. In a recent tweet, she announced that Sundarini, in collaboration with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), won a prestigious international award for 'innovation and sustainable agricultural practices' at the third IDF Dairy Innovation Awards held in Paris. This award was presented on Friday, where Sundarini was recognized among 153 global entries.

Sundarini operates under the Animal Resources Development Department and comprises 4,500 women farmers from South 24 Parganas. The cooperative produces an impressive daily output of two thousand liters of milk and 250 kilograms of various dairy products. In the financial year 2023-24, it generated approximately four crore rupees in income, significantly contributing to the economic empowerment of rural women in the region.

The success of Sundarini highlights the potential of women-led initiatives to drive change in agriculture and promote sustainable practices. Chief Minister Banerjee congratulated the cooperative's members and associated officials for their entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to innovation, emphasizing how such initiatives can uplift rural communities.

Sundarini's achievement serves as an inspiration for other women-led organizations, illustrating that with proper support and innovative practices, they can achieve global recognition and contribute to sustainable development in the dairy sector. This award not only celebrates the cooperative’s achievements but also sets a precedent for future advancements in the industry, reinforcing the importance of sustainability in agriculture.

Happy to share another success story involving our Sundarbans women!

Our milk cooperative Sundarini (Sundarban Cooperative Milk Union & Livestock Producers’ Union) and NDDB together have won a prestigious international award from the International Dairy Federation.

The award… pic.twitter.com/FvLD6B8nRA

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) October 19, 2024