A.Paramasi vam12 (2005) attempts to study the growth and development, quantity of milk procured and sold, and profitability position of selected Primary Milk Producers Cooperative Societies (PMPCSs) in Tirunelveli District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Limited, Tirunelveli, Ta mil Nadu. The secondary data for the period of 1992 -2002 was collected from the records of concerned societies. The study found out that the spread 15 of PMPCSs succeeded to make a laudable increase in not only the total membership but also the network of its activities, the quantity of milk supplied by the selected PMPCSs to the union registering a growth rate of more than 6 times and the number of societies making profit has gone up from 114 in 1992-1993 to 206 in 2001-2002. The researcher suggested and concluded that the membership coverage must be widened, new societies must be started in the areas uncovered by the existing societies, all dairy loans sanctioned by the commercial banks must be channelized through the dairy societies and payment for the milk supplied must be prompt and transparent

P.Raji Reddy14 et al. (2006) analysed the factors for growth, efficiency, and thereby employment, income generation and women empowerment. They studied 200 sample farmers by adopting survey method. Respondents were selected at the rate of 50 each from four selected villages. The study revealed that four-fifths of members belong to farm size groups of less than 5 acres, dairy has provided monthly revenue in the range of less than Rs. 10,000 for about one -fourth of respondents and cent per cent respondents have perceived the income and employment benefit from dairy cooperatives. The study concluded that the overall effect of the union on 17 effective participation in the dairy operations and the positive impact on economic gains and qualitative aspects may reflect in the empowerment of women.

K. Sivachithappa23 (2002), analyzed millions of man-hours of work is generated right in the back-yard of several lakhs of farmer’s household spread over thousands of villages producing a flood of milk and resulting in perennial flow of cash into village economy. It revealed that although the income from dairying forms a small percentage of the gross village product, it has a myriad of multiplier effects having far reaching impact on socio-economic fabric of the village. It also revealed that the dairying as practiced sensitizes the village community to several changes such as discipline by way of waiting in queue, either to pour milk or to receive payment and improved the time sense to catch up the milk lorry twice a day. The researcher suggested that day-today management of the institution necessitate medium and long term planning to meet the needs of the dairy farmers, diversion of dairy cooperative profits for village improvement, gradually improves the management skills and promotes development of leadership traits. The researcher concluded that the dairy development activities are being extended further to touch every nook and comer of the country ushering in white revolution and making an impact on 24 the socio-economic front of the rural scene.

K. N. Ramanujam24 (2003), examined role of cooperatives in milk marketing venture, through his work “A study on the Distribution of Milk and Milk Products by Cooperatives”. The study suggested that while fixing the price for milk and milk products both Governments and Federation have to consider the cost of unions, in order to reduce the cost the unions should pay to the vehicles route wise, instead of kilometer wise and milk products may be transported during the same time while milk is distributed, and enterprise resource planning may be strengthened by using computers. The researcher concluded that sound distribution system of milk and milk products is a must for an effective marketing. Then only our country will emerge as the world’s leading dairy nation.

Awareness Rural women are getting basic development information and fruitful knowledge on ways to achieve the production of high quality milk and milk products through PMPCSs. They become aware of the utility of milk production and its related business dealings. Awareness induces them to enlarge their knowledge of animal husbandry practices and milk marketing networks. Moreover, awareness programme of PMPCSs present them with the basic insight of cooperation and the way to live as a fine social being.

While participating in the meetings of General Body and the Board of Directors and being the basic component of cooperatives, rural women build up strong interpersonal relations with employees and other members of their PMPCS, irrespective of their socio -economic status, caste, religion, etc. This enhances common kindness with neighborhood and other women in the village community. By having pleasant relations with other members in the neighborhood, and sharing growth information and production knowledge with others, rural women can improve their capacity and prospective to tap the hidden values and skills in individuals. In other words, 41 membership and participation in PMPCS can enhance leadership qualities of women.

Through group solidarity, women in rural areas can develop their skills and potential to make better decisions not only on issues and concerns of health care and medical facilities, but also on their children’s education and in the well-being of the family members. KMF provide chances for them to extend their problem solving capacity and abilities to manage gender issues. Collective decision making strengthen the socioeconomic base of rural women and their families.

KMF is legally created democratic bodies. So women in the villages can have equal opportunities to contribute in all the meetings, development planning and verdict making process in KMF. They can freely complete their views and concerns in general body meetings and even directly to the employees. The equal opportunity for rural women in KMF fosters their managerial skills and democratic attitude, which in turn promotes the familial and national development. As a result, they get due respect by the family members, society and community in the development works and celebration of ceremonies.

While rural women have understanding on community, society and themselves, good interpersonal relations with employees and other members of KMF and cohesion with neighborhood; it is possible for them to enhance their social mobility. By having active membership and involvement in the collective action of basic level organizations, women can afford to change and challenge the traditional principle. It will make them to move from lower to higher level in the community, village and society. As a result, they can get better positions in other socio -economic organizations and will gain desired goals and will increase larger acceptance.

Women in rural India are gaining avenues for developing their economic positions through dairy cooperatives. They get awareness and understanding on economic independence. Dairy cooperatives make rural women realize their full ability, capability and potential for the economic betterment. It makes them to be aware of their own duties, rights and tasks in the family, community, and society. The dairy cooperatives pave the way for improving their attitudes, values, insight and consciousness in relation to their economic position. The economic consciousness creates desire for rural women’s self-development and induces them to engross in extra income producing activities.

Participation in productive activities is the important factor for an individual’s economic improvement. To achieve long term economic improvement, constant participation is necessary. Enrollment as members of Primary Milk Producers Cooperative Society (KMF) is readily accessible for rural women. As members of KMF, they can take part not only in the day-today business transactions but also in the production and distribution of milk and milk products.

The dairy cooperative societies of the country are federated into 198 district milk producer unions, which in turn have 22 state cooperative dairy federations. There are 421 dairy cooperative societies are registered and having 18923 registered members. Karnataka Milk Dairy Federation (KMF) playing an important role in development of dairy industry of the state.

Table 1

Year	Production (1000 tons)	Per Capita Availability (gms/day)
2011-12	855	150
2012-13	877	160
2013-14	820	163
2014-15	865	162
2015-16	882	163
2016-17	898	153
2017-18	846	142
2018-19	856	133
2019-20	915	126

The main aim of the study is to examine the Social Change and Economic Development of Rural Women attained through Dairy Cooperatives in Karnataka.