Shwetdhara Program - Rural development through Dairy

Shwetdhara: Strengthening Women-led Dairy Livelihoods

The IDFC FIRST Bank Shwetdhara program is a dairy productivity and rural livelihood initiative that supports smallholder women dairy farmers with better practices, improved herd management, and dependable extension services. The program aims to increase milk productivity at the household level and help rural families build more stable and predictable incomes.

Despite accounting for nearly a quarter of global milk production, India continues to struggle with low productivity at the smallholder level. Challenges such as limited potential of local cattle breeds, inconsistent access to quality veterinary care, and inadequate nutrition management persist. The lack of integrated, reliable lastmile services further constrains the ability of dairy-dependent households to enhance productivity and secure sustainable income growth. 

 Shwetdhara operates across 880 villages and reaches more than 57,475 farmers across Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh. Through structured training, doorstep advisory, and community-led demonstrations, the initiative helps women adopt simple, proven practices that boost milk yield and reduce avoidable losses.

The program is implemented with leading development partners. These include Ananda Foundation, BAIF Livelihoods, End Poverty, and India Grameen Services (IGS).

Strength in numbers

57,475 Farmers Supported
880villages
20%increase in milk productivity
3states
2 lakh+artificial inseminations

Videos

A quick glimpse into the Shwetdhara Program

Watch to know what happens at the Shwetdhara Annual Gram Sakhi meet

Shwetdhara commemorates five years in Rajasthan - a short glimpse of the celebrations

Photo Gallery

Shwetdhara training in progress for women in Kolkunte village in Davangere, Karnataka

Gram Sakhi conducts a house visit in Kolkunte village in Davangere, Karnataka.

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Our CSR Programmes

At IDFC FIRST Bank, we aim to empower our customers to make a difference in the world. With this in mind, we bring you various initiatives in partnership with our partners that give you the opportunity to shoulder a cause of your choice. Till date, we have 60 programs that have impacted more than 1 crore lives. Come, let’s together, put others FIRST.

Other Initiatives

Karma FIRST Programme

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Lend-A-Shoulder Program

Enabling Women‑Led
Dairy Livelihoods

Shwetdhara: Strengthening Women-led Dairy Livelihoods

Strength in numbers

Videos

A quick glimpse into the Shwetdhara Program

Watch to know what happens at the Shwetdhara Annual Gram Sakhi meet

Shwetdhara commemorates five years in Rajasthan - a short glimpse of the celebrations

Photo Gallery

Education

Entrepreneurship & Livelihood

Sanitation

Enabling Women‑Led Dairy Livelihoods

Shwetdhara: Strengthening Women-led Dairy Livelihoods

Strength in numbers

Videos

A quick glimpse into the Shwetdhara Program

Watch to know what happens at the Shwetdhara Annual Gram Sakhi meet

Shwetdhara commemorates five years in Rajasthan - a short glimpse of the celebrations

Photo Gallery

Education

Entrepreneurship & Livelihood

Sanitation

Enabling Women‑Led
Dairy Livelihoods