In a decisive push to strengthen cooperative-led dairy development, the Rajasthan government has doubled the Rajasthan Cooperative Dairy Infrastructure Development Fund from ₹1,000 crore to ₹2,000 crore in the Budget 2026–27. The announcement was made in the Assembly by Diya Kumari, Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister, signalling a renewed policy focus on scaling dairy infrastructure and market integration.
The expanded fund is expected to accelerate investments across milk procurement, chilling infrastructure, processing facilities and logistics networks areas that remain critical for improving efficiency, reducing wastage and enhancing farmer incomes. By strengthening the cooperative backbone, the state aims to improve milk flow from rural producers to organised markets, while supporting value addition at scale.
A key strategic element of the budget is the ₹100 crore allocation to transform Saras into a nationally recognised dairy brand. The proposed expansion of Saras retail outlets into the National Capital Region, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and other states reflects Rajasthan’s ambition to move beyond regional dominance and compete in India’s increasingly brand-driven organised dairy segment.
This outward market expansion is particularly significant at a time when cooperative dairies are under pressure from private players with strong retail presence and diversified product portfolios. Strengthening Saras’ brand visibility could help Rajasthan’s cooperatives secure better margins, stabilise milk prices for farmers and build long-term consumer trust.
The budget also proposes the opening of Cooperative Consumer Stores in newly created districts, reinforcing the state’s cooperative retail ecosystem and improving access to essential commodities. Together, these measures point to a policy strategy that combines infrastructure investment, brand building and retail expansion.
Overall, Rajasthan’s budgetary commitments indicate a shift towards scale, competitiveness and market-led growth in the cooperative dairy sector, positioning the state as a more assertive player in India’s evolving dairy economy.
