Anand: Amul, the world’s largest cooperative movement in the world, celebrated its 75th anniversary on Sunday, in the presence of union home and cooperation minister Amit Shah, union fisheries, animal husbandry, and dairying minister Parshottam Rupala, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and other leaders.
The union cooperation minister launched organics fertilisers that Amul has started producing and also inaugurated the ethnoveterinary supplements plant at Kanjri. He also launched the cheese warehouse at Khatraj. The plant has a 2,500-tonne cheese storage capacity, the highest in the country. He unveiled a special envelope on Amul’s 75th-year milestone issued by India Post and inaugurated a 1,500-seat auditorium named after Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Speaking on the occasion, Amul Chairman Ramsinh Parmar said, “It is fitting that the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel auditorium has been inaugurated on the occasion of Amul’s 75th anniversary and the 146th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel. It was Sardar Patel who advised Tribhovandas Patel to set up a cooperative dairy in Anand to end the exploitation of farmers, and this is how Amul was born.”
From just 250 litres of milk a day, Amul now collects 30 lakh litres of milk per day from 36 lakh dairy farmers, including 11 lakh women farmers, in Gujarat and several other states. Amul continues to flourish because of its unwavering commitment to the cause of farmers and its highest quality products.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said, “Milk producers were exploited, but Sardar Patel showed them the way of becoming atmanirbhar. In its 75 years of existence, Amul has truly embodied the mantra of Sauno Saath, Sauno Vikas.”
Twelve progressive farmers from different districts of the state were felicitated on the occasion at the hands of the dignitaries.
Union fisheries, animal husbandry, and dairying minister Parshottam Rupala said, “Amul’s creation and its contribution have played the role of a catalyst in making India the world’s largest milk producer. Amul is a shining example of the success of the cooperative sector in Gujarat.”
Dairy Sahakar, a new scheme by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), was also launched on the occasion. Financial assistance of Rs. 5,000 crore would be made to the dairy industry under the scheme.
In his address, Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah said, “From a small plant, Amul has grown into a massive tree due to the efforts of Late Tribhovandas Patel, Sardar Patel, Verghese Kurien, and lakhs of dairy farmers. Amul has shown that when people’s efforts come together, big things can be achieved. All cooperatives will have to learn from Amul how to reach consumers.”
The union minister noted that women are the cornerstone of the cooperative movement, and Amul has played a significant role in women empowerment by helping them become financially independent.
“Success comes only to those who change with time. Amul has kept pace with the times and should proactively look to further expand its areas of operation,” he said, adding the cooperative sector can play an essential role in doubling farmers’ income.
“Cooperatives will have a significant share when India becomes a $5 trillion economy,” he added.
