Exploring the Dairy Value-Chain Industry of Bikaner as a Sustainable Business Practice and Its Impact on Socio-Economic Upliftment of Tribal Communities of Rajasthan

Abstract: This paper examines the dairy value-chain in Bikaner district (Rajasthan) as a model of sustainable rural enterprise and evaluates its socio-economic impact on tribal and marginal communities across the district’s seven tahsils. Using a primary household and stakeholder survey carried out in all seven tahsils of Bikaner, plus key informant interviews with cooperative officials, input suppliers and veterinary extension workers, the study maps actors across production, collection, processing and marketing links of the dairy value chain. Findings highlight that the dairy value- chain—when supported by cooperative procurement, extension services, breed improvement initiatives and local value- addition—generates year-round income, empowers women, reduces migration pressure, and improves food security among tribal households. Constraints remain in animal health services, feed availability, value-addition facilities at village level and access to credit. Policy and enterprise recommendations are provided to scale the model sustainably in Bikaner and similar arid/semi-arid districts. The paper contributes empirical primary evidence from Bikaner and situates the local findings in the broader Rajasthan and Indian dairy sector context.

Keywords: Dairy value chain; sustainable agribusiness; Bikaner; tribal upliftment; cooperatives; women empowerment; Rajasthan.