Anand, Gujarat: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah inaugurated several farmer welfare schemes worth ₹300 crore during the National Dairy Development Board’s (NDDB) diamond jubilee celebration on October 21, 2024. The event also commemorated the birth anniversary of Tribhuvandas Patel, a key figure in India’s dairy revolution. Dignitaries, including Union Minister for Panchayati Raj, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, were present at the occasion.
In his address, Amit Shah highlighted the initiatives launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including the Standard Operating Procedures (SoP) for the recently introduced White Revolution 2.0. He noted that this initiative aims to empower one lakh new and existing dairies and expand milk distribution routes.
Shah paid tribute to Tribhuvandas Patel, describing him as a visionary who dedicated his life to empowering poor farmers while distancing himself from personal gain. He emphasized that Tribhuvandas Patel’s efforts have led to the prosperity of millions of farmers and cattle rearers, particularly benefiting women.
Reflecting on the historical context, Shah mentioned that former Prime Minister Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri’s visit to Amul Dairy in 1964 catalyzed the establishment of the NDDB, designed to extend the successful cooperative model across India. He praised the NDDB for its role in organizing the cooperative sector, empowering farmers, and raising awareness about their rights.
“The trust built through Amul not only empowers women but also provides essential nutrition to children, addressing malnutrition in the country,” Shah stated. He acknowledged the NDDB’s achievements, including a significant rise in liquid milk sales, which now reach 427 lakh liters per day, and a procurement rate of 589 lakh liters daily.
During the event, Shah also highlighted NDDB’s foray into vegetable processing, ensuring that farmers’ produce reaches global markets while distributing profits at the grassroots level. He emphasized that the Gobardhan scheme, which promotes sustainable practices, has positively impacted land conservation and farmer prosperity.
Additionally, Shah announced the laying of the foundation stone for a ₹210 crore Mother Dairy fruit and vegetable processing unit, along with the launch of Badri Ghee from Uttarakhand and Gir Ghee brand from Mother Dairy. He underscored the importance of branding cooperative products to compete effectively with corporate goods, stating, “Today, our Amul brand holds the top position globally.”
The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening the cooperative sector by establishing two lakh new Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), enhancing the cooperative framework. He highlighted that India has surpassed the United States in milk production, achieving a record 231 million tons.
Amit Shah concluded by stressing the need to connect all eight crore farming families involved in milk production with the cooperative sector to ensure fair compensation for their efforts. He noted that the average milk availability per person in India has significantly increased, highlighting the success of cooperative initiatives in transforming the dairy landscape.