Bhutani visits Asia’s largest dairy co-op, Banas dairy
Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, Secretary of the Ministry of Cooperation, visited Banas Dairy in Banaskantha, Gujarat, along with senior officials and Chairman Shankarbhai Chaudhary. The delegation toured modern facilities, including the potato processing unit, ice-cream plant, and the “Save Soil” laboratory in Tharad, showcasing the cooperative’s diversification and sustainability initiatives.
Industry Insights
Banas Dairy’s positioning as Asia’s largest dairy cooperative underlines the evolving role of cooperatives in India’s rural economy. By expanding beyond traditional milk processing into potato processing, ice-cream, and soil health initiatives, Banas is setting a template for cooperative diversification.
The visit also aligns with the White Revolution 2.0 agenda led by the Ministry of Cooperation, emphasizing advanced technology adoption, farmer-centric growth, and sustainable practices. For the wider dairy industry, this signals that cooperatives are expected not just to collect and market milk, but to become multi-commodity, innovation-driven enterprises. This strategy could improve farmer incomes, reduce risk from milk price volatility, and strengthen India’s food security through integrated value chains.
Source : Dairynews7x7 Sep 3rd 2025 Indian Cooperative