Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday exhorted dairy farmers in Gujarat to make Amul “the world’s largest dairy brand”.
Speaking at the golden jubilee celebrations of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which owns the Amul brand and sells dairy products under the brand name, he highlighted Amul’s current status as the world’s “eighth largest dairy”. He said his government would support farners and help in expanding Amul to “make it the largest dairy producer in the world”.
“While the global dairy sector is developing at 2% per annum, India’s dairy sector is developing at 6%,” Modi said while addressing thousands of farmers who were assembled at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where the celebration event was organised on Thursday.
He described Amul as one of the most successful brands of post-Independent India and said that many brands were created after Independence but none succeeded like Amul, which has become a household name in the entire country and also helped women and farmers, “who are its real beneficiaries”.
He also talked about how the measures taken by his government have helped Amul and the cooperative dairy sector in the State that has become a thriving “dairy producer”.
Highlighting that women form the backbone of the cooperative dairy sector, Mr. Modi said that the sector has improved the financial condition of its women members.
“We have announced new ways to save indigenous breeds based on research carried out under the National Livestock Mission. We also decided to extend financial aid to help put wastelands to use as pastures,” he said, listing measures of his government to help the livestock farmers.
“To help farmers spend less on insuring livestock, the government has decided to reduce the premium amount. These decisions will help increase the population of cattle and incomes of cattle herders,” he said.
Mr. Modi also visited north and south Gujarat districts to launch new projects and attend social events during his day long visit of his home State.
