Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Thursday that GCMMF, which owns the Amul brand, aims to become the world’s number one dairy company, up from eighth place. The Prime Minister was speaking at the golden jubilee celebration of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which markets its products under the brand name ‘Amul’, at the Narendra Modi stadium here.
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What did PM Modi say ?
Addressing thousands of members of the co-operative dairy union from across the state, Modi stated that many brands were created after India’s independence, but none of them are comparable to ‘Amul’. PM Modi also stated that the contribution of women is critical to the development of the country’s dairy cooperative movement. He also stated that In India’s dairy sector, women have led development and women are the backbone of the dairy industry.
The Prime Minister stated that previous governments at the Centre looked at village requirements in pieces, whereas his government’s focus is on improving the lives of small farmers.
The rural economy must be strong. The PM said that the focus is on improving the lives of small farmers, improving livestock health, and helping farmers earn more money through allied activities such as fishing and beekeeping.
Referring to solar panel installations in fields and the establishment of biogas plants that produce bio-fertiliser from cow dung, the PM stated that his government wishes to transform anna data into urja data and uvarak data(food grain growers into energy and fertilizer producers).
The Event Highlights
Modi stated that the BJP government he leads has established a Rs 1 lakh crore fund to assist cooperative societies, as well as another Rs 30,000 crore fund to strengthen cattle-rearing infrastructure.On the occasion, the Prime Minister inaugurated five new dairy projects, including a modern cheese plant by Sabar Dairy, which has invested Rs 600 crore, a long-life tetra pak milk plant by Amul Dairy in Anand, and the expansion of its chocolate plant.
He also inaugurated a 50,000-litre ice cream plant in Kutch for Sarhad Dairy, a Bharuch Dairy unit that will soon open in Mumbai. Jayen Mehta, the federation’s managing director, stated on Wednesday that the GCMMF was founded in 1973 and has an annual turnover of Rs 20 crore.
The History of Amul
Amul, an iconic dairy brand, has a rich history that began in 1946. The brand’s origins can be traced back to Anand, Gujarat, India, where farmers were exploited by milk industry middlemen. The farmers, led by visionary leaders such as Dr. Verghese Kurien and Tribhuvandas Patel, decided to form a cooperative to process and sell their milk. This marked the establishment of the Kaira District Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union Limited, which later became known as Amul.
Under Dr. Kurien’s leadership, Amul pioneered the “Anand Pattern ” cooperative model, which empowered farmers and ensured fair returns on milk. The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) was established in 1973, which strengthened Amul’s position as a cooperative movement.
Over time, Amul expanded its product line beyond milk to include butter, cheese, ice cream and other dairy products. The brand’s mascot, the iconic “Amul girl,” became synonymous with its witty and socially relevant ads.
Amul’s success is due not only to its high-quality dairy products, but also to its commitment to empowering farmers and promoting rural development. Today, Amul is a symbol of India’s cooperative movement, as well as a globally recognised brand that represents farmer resilience and entrepreneurship.
The Make in India initiative also gets a boost with the success of Amul, where India gets a representation in the dairy industry.
