Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah launched the Sardar Patel Cooperative Dairy Federation in Gujarat, a multi-state initiative aimed at revolutionizing milk procurement, pricing, and sustainability in the dairy sector. Drawing inspiration from Amul’s successful cooperative model, the federation seeks to empower farmers nationwide by ensuring fair returns and a circular economy. The event also commemorated four years of the Ministry of Cooperation and the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. With significant investments in dairy infrastructure and the creation of new cooperative bodies, Shah emphasized transparency, technological adoption, and member-centric governance as cornerstones for the future of India’s cooperative movement.
Launch of the Sardar Patel Cooperative Dairy Federation: A New Chapter for Farmers
On Sunday, at a landmark event held in Anand, Gujarat, Union Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Sardar Patel Cooperative Dairy Federation. This ambitious multi-state body aims to replicate and extend the success of the Amul cooperative model across India. Its mission is to create an organised ecosystem encompassing milk procurement, equitable pricing mechanisms, and a sustainable circular economy that benefits farmers directly.
“The Sardar Patel Cooperative Dairy Federation will work to establish a seamless cycle of market organisation, input provision, fair purchase, price stabilization, and circular economy in the dairy sector,” Shah articulated, underscoring the federation’s role as a catalyst for farmer prosperity modeled after Amul’s proven framework.
Strengthening Cooperative Infrastructure: Investments and Expansions
The event marked not only the federation’s launch but also saw the unveiling of significant infrastructure projects aimed at bolstering dairy production and processing capabilities. Minister Shah virtually inaugurated the expansion of the Dr. Verghese Kurien cheese plant in Kheda and the chocolate plant in Mogar, projects collectively valued at Rs. 365 crore. These expansions are poised to enhance value addition and product diversification in the dairy supply chain.
Further, Shah dedicated the Maniben Patel Bhawan, the new office of the National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India (NCDFI), located within the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) campus, Anand. He also inaugurated a Ready-to-Use Culture (RUC) Plant constructed at a cost of Rs. 45 crore, designed to streamline dairy processing inputs, and laid the foundation stone for the new NDDB headquarters, signalling ongoing commitment to cooperative infrastructure development.
Cooperative Movement’s Resurgence Under the Ministry of Cooperation
Reflecting on the Ministry of Cooperation’s four-year journey, Shah highlighted over 60 targeted initiatives fostering grassroots empowerment through policy reforms, digitisation, and cooperative society revitalisation. Since its inception, the ministry has reinvigorated over 8.4 lakh cooperative societies engaging approximately 31 crore members, emphasizing cooperation as an intrinsic part of Indian societal fabric since the Vedic era.
Shah announced the establishment of Tribhuvan Sahkari University, named after freedom fighter Tribhuvan Das Patel, aimed at nurturing future cooperative leaders. The ministry is also developing 2 lakh new Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), a National Cooperative Database, and six new national-level cooperative institutions split equally between grain and dairy sectors, signalling expansive institutional growth.
Empowering Gujarat’s Salt Producers: The Kutch District Salt Cooperative Society
Expanding beyond dairy, the minister announced the formation of the Kutch District Salt Cooperative Society, designed to enhance the livelihoods of salt farmers—locally known as Agariyas. Gujarat, producing over 70% of India’s salt, with nearly 30% from the Little Rann of Kutch, stands to benefit significantly from this initiative.
“This cooperative will channel profits directly to those engaged in salt production, fostering a robust and sustainable cooperative ecosystem in the region,” Shah remarked, envisioning the society as a catalyst for economic upliftment among salt workers.
Emphasizing Transparency, Technology, and Member-Centric Governance
Amit Shah underscored the critical need for cooperative institutions to embrace transparency, technological integration, and prioritization of member welfare to thrive in today’s competitive environment. He urged cooperative leaders to embed these principles deeply within their organizational cultures, particularly as the country celebrates the International Year of Cooperatives.
“Without these foundational values, cooperative models will struggle to sustain themselves in an evolving marketplace,” he cautioned, reinforcing the government’s vision for a resilient and future-ready cooperative sector.
Honouring Legacy and Celebrating Collective Prosperity
Shah paid homage to Dr. Shyama Prasad Mookerjee, highlighting his sacrifices for national unity, and commemorated the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a visionary behind India’s cooperative and integration movements.
The minister spotlighted the empowerment of women through dairy cooperatives, noting that 36 lakh women in Gujarat and 20 lakh across India contribute to the sector’s Rs. 80,000 crore annual turnover, expected to exceed Rs. 1 lakh crore next year. “The wealth generated is not for a select few but flows directly into the accounts of millions of women, farmers, and labourers,” Shah said, attributing these initiatives to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inclusive vision.
Conclusion: Building a Cooperative Future Rooted in Equity and Sustainability
The launch of the Sardar Patel Cooperative Dairy Federation marks a significant milestone in India’s cooperative movement, promising a more organised, equitable, and technologically advanced dairy sector. With parallel initiatives empowering salt producers and strengthening institutional frameworks, the government is charting a path toward inclusive rural prosperity. As these models mature, they offer a replicable blueprint for cooperative success, ensuring that the fruits of collective endeavour enrich the country’s farming communities sustainably and equitably.
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