Abstract
Primary dairy cooperatives in India have in the past served as the backbone for rural development by providing collective bargaining power, fair market access and income stabilization for small and marginal farmers. However, there are also challenges in their growth and efficiency. This paper examines the constraints that prevent effective functioning of Primary Dairy Cooperative Societies under Dehradun Milk Producers Cooperative Union Limited (DDUSS) also known as Anchal Dairy during the period 2024-25. The objective of this study is to examine the structural, operational and socio-economic constraints affecting the performance of the cooperative. It seeks to analyse how low member participation, high rate of closure of societies, fluctuations in procurement and socio-cultural exclusion undermine the sustainability of dairy cooperatives. Research adopts a descriptive and analytical design using both primary and secondary data sources. DDUSS records for February 2025 and April 2024 were analysed using comparative statistics, participation rate estimation, and yield versus targeted assessment and external threats with existing strengths and opportunities. This blended approach allowed for both quantitative measurement of the way cooperatives work and qualitative understanding of disruptions. The study shows that almost half of the societies under DDUSS are inactive, which reveals structural weakness, member participation is very low, only 23% of registered members actively supply milk. Procurement growth shows large seasonal fluctuations, moreover, women and the ST / SC community are under-represented despite their significant contribution, showing deep socio-cultural barriers.
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