Gujarat and Karnataka can transform country’s coop. dairy sector: Amit Shah

‘Amul’ and ‘Nandini’ can work towards the welfare of country’s milk producers, initiating a ‘white revolution’ across the country, says Union Home and Cooperation Minister after inaugurating the mega dairy of Mandya Milk Union in Maddur taluk

Union Minister for Home and Cooperation Amit Shah on Friday said Gujarat and Karnataka, which are among the leaders in the cooperative dairy sector through ‘Amul’ and ‘Nandini’, can come together for working towards the welfare of the country’s milk producers and thereby helping in introducing ‘white revolution’ across the country.

In this regard, the Cooperation Ministry at the Centre is ready to extend all technical assistance to the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) besides the support from the management of Amul, and cooperatives for the wellbeing and prosperity of the country’s milk cooperatives, he added.

Speaking after inaugurating the mega dairy of Mandya Milk Union at Gejjalagere village in Maddur taluk of Mandya district, Mr. Shah said the Cooperation Ministry has drawn up an ambitious plan for launching a primary dairy in every panchayat in the country in the next three years. The village-level primary dairies will help to drive the ‘white revolution’ and the farmer cooperatives can be part of this revolution, he added.

Like how ‘Amul’ changed the fortunes of the milk cooperatives in Gujarat, a similar effort can be made by ‘Amul’ and ‘Nandini’ for benefitting the country’s milk cooperatives and changing their fortunes as well. As many as 36 lakh milk producers under ‘Amul’ get their money transferred to their accounts under DBT, Mr. Shah explained.

Referring to Ksheera Bhagya in Karnataka’s schools, the Union Minister said 65 lakh children in schools and anganwadi centres have benefitted from the initiative (milk powder is supplied to the schools and anganwadi centers by the respective milk unions).

Mr. Shah observed that farmers had sought the split of the Cooperation Department from the Agriculture Ministry soon after the country attained Independence. But, this did not happen but Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to create a separate ministry for Cooperation. If the decision was taken then, it would have helped farmers in a big way for their development, he said.

The Centre will not allow any injustice done on the cooperatives hereafter, Mr. Shah said, in his inaugural speech.