Dairying has played a prominent role in strengthening India’s rural economy. It has been recognized as an instrument<br />to bring about socio-economic transformation. The study was conducted in Karjat tahsil of Ahmednagar district of<br />Maharashtra state. The data was collected from 120 respondents. Majority of the members and non- members of<br />dairy co-operative societies were from middle age group. Most of them completed education up to secondary level,<br />having medium size of family and had medium level of dairy experience. Majority of them had medium social<br />participation, having medium level of annual income, small and marginal size of land holding, medium herd size,<br />moderately favorable motivation and also medium level of aspiration. It was seen that the members (55.00%) and<br />non members (75.00%) of dairy co-operative societies had followed medium level of improved dairy management<br />practices. From this study it is found that socio- economic characteristics viz. education, family size, social<br />participation, size of land holding, annual income, occupation experience, size of herd, motivation and aspiration<br />exhibited positive and significant relationship with improved dairy management practices. While, age and family<br />type of dairy farmers found to have non - significant relationship with dairy management practices

Keyword: Dairy; Management practices; Motivation; Social participation