In Anand, the Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated new development projects at Amul Dairy on the fourth foundation day of the Ministry of Cooperation. This event was held in the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and aimed at expanding cooperative activities across the country. Shah called for a nationwide spread of cooperative movements, highlighting the five P’s: people, PACS (Primary Agricultural Credit Societies), platforms, policy, and prosperity.
Amit Shah stated that several initiatives are being launched in Anand, coinciding with the four-year anniversary of the Ministry of Cooperation, the 60th anniversary of the National Dairy Development Board, and the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel. The Ministry has been focusing on cooperative development based on these five P’s over the last four years.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the cooperative sector is expanding through new policies and digital platforms aimed at empowering primary cooperative societies and enhancing the prosperity of the community.
During the event, the first ready-to-cook culture plant was inaugurated by IDMC. Despite the diversity of cultures in India, nearly 90% of starter cultures can be used in producing future food products.
Amit Shah and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also inaugurated an extension plant for Amul Dairy, which will produce chocolate, milk, curd, and mozzarella cheese. Additionally, they unveiled the building dedicated to Maniben Patel at the National Dairy Development Board’s headquarters. They also laid the foundation for the national organization of dairy cooperatives in India.
Shah shared that 3.6 million Gujaratis and 2 million people across the country, totaling 5.6 million members, are involved in milk production, generating a turnover of Rs. 80,000 crores. This is expected to reach Rs. 1 lakh crore in the coming year, benefiting the cooperative members.
The cooperative movement in India has deep roots dating back to ancient Vedic times. Prime Minister Narendra Modi established the Ministry of Cooperation in 2021 to give legal recognition to this tradition, which has over 8.4 lakh cooperatives and 31 crore members.
The event also featured the registration of the Sardar Patel Cooperative Milk Dairy Federation. Furthermore, the Kutch Salt Producers Cooperative Society was registered to include the workers in the cooperative movement.
Amit Shah illustrated the success of Amul Dairy as an example, where 5.6 million women involved in dairy production are expected to significantly benefit from the cooperative model. He mentioned that the cooperative tradition of sharing meals, working together, and being supportive of one another has been a vital part of Indian culture.
Amul, established in 1946, has become a symbol of success in the cooperative dairy sector. It operates under the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) and has transformed India into the world’s largest producer of milk. The brand not only caters to local needs but also exports products to over 50 countries, including Mauritius, the USA, and Australia.
Amit Shah’s address emphasized the importance of women in the dairy sector, stating that they are at the forefront of this economic activity. He highlighted the cooperative’s impact on society and how it has empowered farmers, especially women, to achieve economic independence.
In recent news, Amul has also reduced milk prices, providing relief to consumers amidst rising inflation. The price cut applies to several products, including Amul Gold, Amul Fresh, and Amul T Special, reducing the cost by Rs. 1 per litre. This move is expected to influence other dairy companies to follow suit and bring down their prices as well.
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