On a significant day for Gujarat, Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah announced that Amul, the well-known dairy brand, will now venture into salt production. This announcement came during the fourth foundation day of the Ministry of Cooperation. The new initiative aims to support salt pan workers in Gujarat, ensuring they receive fair profits for their hard work.
The launch took place at a ceremony where Shah introduced a new multi-state cooperative called the Sardar Patel Cooperative Dairy Federation Limited. This cooperative aims to create an organised market for milk producers. The goal is to ensure fair pricing and provide necessary services to support dairy farmers.
Amit Shah highlighted the achievements in the cooperative sector since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office. Among these achievements are the registration of 200,000 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), the establishment of India’s first national cooperative university, and the creation of three national-level dairy cooperatives.
During his speech, Shah emphasised the importance of five key pillars for success in the cooperative sector:
1. People: The main beneficiaries are the citizens.
2. PACS: Strengthening rural credit institutions is essential.
3. Platforms: Providing digital and national platforms for cooperatives.
4. Policy: Policies must ensure maximum benefits to members.
5. Prosperity: The focus should be on uplifting hardworking women.
Shah also paid tribute to Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his birth anniversary, recalling his significant contributions to India. The minister noted Mookerjee’s famous slogan, which reflects the unity of the nation.
In addition to the salt initiative, Shah inaugurated several new projects for Amul, including a mozzarella cheese plant, an ultra-high temperature (UHT) processing unit, a modern cheese warehouse in Khatraj, and an expanded chocolate plant in Mogar. These expansions mark a significant step in Amul’s growth and its commitment to providing quality products to consumers.
The salt production initiative will source salt from Kutch’s salt pan workers, known as Agariyas. This move is seen as a way to ensure fair profits for these traditional workers through a structured and community-led model. Valamji Humbal, Vice Chairman of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation and Chairman of Sarhad Dairy, will lead this new venture.
Amit Shah expressed his excitement about the new salt cooperative, calling it a milestone for fair profits for the Agariya workers. He highlighted that this sector was the last untouched by the cooperative movement. With this initiative, the cooperative model aims to uplift entire communities rather than just individuals.
Today, Amul is a massive player in the dairy industry, with a turnover of ₹80,000 crore. Shah mentioned that thanks to the efforts of 36 lakh women in Gujarat and an additional 20 lakh women across India, Amul is set to surpass ₹1 lakh crore in turnover next year, with profits benefiting 56 lakh women.
Gujarat has one of the largest and most diverse cooperative sectors in India, consisting of over 83,000 societies involved in various sectors like agriculture, dairy, sugar, housing, credit, and marketing. The Anand Pattern dairy model, which includes major names like Amul, Banas Dairy, and Dudhsagar Dairy, is central to this success, serving millions of milk producers and processing vast quantities of milk daily.
The cooperative sector has also seen a rise in women’s participation. Between 2020 and 2025, the number of women-led dairy cooperatives increased by 21%. Women now hold a significant role in the cooperative landscape, making up 25% of milk union boards and 32% of producer members. This shift has boosted milk procurement and generated substantial annual revenue.
As the cooperative movement in Gujarat continues to grow, financial modernisation is also underway, with initiatives expanding access to credit and banking services across the state. The salt production initiative is another step toward creating a more inclusive and prosperous future for all workers in Gujarat.
In conclusion, Amul’s new salt initiative not only marks an expansion of its product line but also serves as a powerful example of how cooperative models can uplift communities and ensure fair profits for traditional workers. With continued support and growth, the cooperative sector in Gujarat looks set for a promising future.
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