Anand, Gujarat – In a significant step towards fostering collaborative efforts in the dairy and organic sectors, Amul Dairy had the distinguished honour of hosting a high-powered delegation from the Government of Chhattisgarh, led by Shri Vijay Sharma, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister. The delegation included Shri Kedar Kashyap, Hon’ble Minister of Cooperation Shri Subrat Sahu (IAS), Additional Chief Secretary and Shri Kuldeep Sharma (IAS), Registrar of Cooperative Societies. The visit, facilitated at the iconic Amul Dairy campus in Anand, was a testament to the growing synergy between state governments and cooperative institutions committed to agricultural and rural development.
Dr. Amit Vyas, Managing Director of Amul Dairy, extended a warm welcome to the visiting dignitaries. He expressed his pleasure in showcasing Amul’s legacy, its cooperative success model, and the innovative practices that continue to drive its global reputation. The visit provided an opportunity for fruitful exchanges of ideas, especially around areas of mutual interest, such as the promotion of organic farming, innovation in dairy processing, rural empowerment, and creating sustainable value chains for farmers.
A Glimpse into Amul’s Inspiring Legacy
The delegation was taken on a comprehensive tour of the Amul facilities, beginning with a detailed presentation on the dairy’s historical journey, beginning from its roots in the milk revolution initiated by Dr. Verghese Kurien. Dr. Vyas highlighted how Amul’s cooperative model has not only empowered millions of dairy farmers across Gujarat but has also become a beacon of inspiration for similar movements globally.
The dignitaries were deeply moved by the story of how Amul transformed from a small cooperative of marginal milk producers into India’s largest dairy brand, touching the lives of over 3.6 million farmers. They appreciated Amul’s unwavering commitment to its core values of quality, farmer empowerment, and ethical growth, even as it scaled new technological and operational milestones.
Engaging Dialogues on Dairy Innovation and Organic Initiatives
One of the key highlights of the visit was an engaging roundtable discussion between the Chhattisgarh delegation and Amul’s leadership. Dr. Vyas provided an insightful overview of the dairy’s recent initiatives, particularly in the domain of organic products. He emphasized how Amul has been making strategic efforts to expand its portfolio of organic milk, ghee, honey, and other organic produce, aligning with rising consumer demand for healthier, chemical-free alternatives.
The Chhattisgarh leadership took keen interest in Amul’s approach to ensuring traceability, farmer certification, and quality assurance in its organic supply chain. Shri Vijay Sharma, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister, praised Amul’s proactive measures in supporting farmers’ transition to organic farming and its role in enhancing income stability through value addition.
Recognizing Chhattisgarh’s vast potential in the organic farming sector, the dignitaries expressed their interest in exploring collaborative opportunities with Amul. With the state having a rich tradition of naturally grown produce and tribal farming practices, partnerships with a brand like Amul could significantly enhance market access and price realisation for the region’s farmers.
A Visit to the Tribhuvandas Food Complex, Mogar
Following the interactions at the Anand campus, the delegation proceeded to visit the state-of-the-art Tribhuvandas Food Complex located at Mogar. This facility, one of Amul’s crown jewels, houses the world-class chocolate manufacturing unit, which has been a pivotal part of Amul’s diversification into value-added dairy products.
The visiting dignitaries were given a guided tour of the plant, where they witnessed cutting-edge manufacturing technologies, robust quality control measures, and sustainable practices being followed meticulously. From bean to bar, every aspect of the chocolate-making process demonstrated Amul’s commitment to excellence and innovation.
Hon’ble Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap was especially nostalgic during the visit, fondly recalling his visit to the same facility 25 years ago. He expressed his admiration at how, despite the immense technological advancements and infrastructural upgrades, Amul has preserved the same authentic taste and heartfelt hospitality that left an impression on him decades ago.
Towards a Shared Vision for the Future
The delegation lauded Amul’s role not just as a dairy brand but as a symbol of rural upliftment, nutritional security, and national pride. They acknowledged Amul’s potential to contribute significantly to Chhattisgarh’s vision for rural development, especially through knowledge sharing, capacity building of cooperatives, and infrastructure support.
Dr. Vyas, in his closing remarks, reiterated Amul’s openness to meaningful collaborations. He stated, “We are truly honoured to host this esteemed delegation from Chhattisgarh. Amul has always believed in the power of cooperatives to transform rural India, and we see a tremendous opportunity to work together in areas such as organic farming, dairy infrastructure development, and farmer education. Together, we can create models that benefit farmers and consumers alike.”
Shri Vijay Sharma echoed similar sentiments and appreciated the insights gained during the visit. He emphasized the importance of such engagements in shaping informed policy-making and building bridges between progressive institutions and forward-looking governments.
The visit concluded on an optimistic note, with both parties expressing a strong desire to explore concrete avenues for partnership. Be it through joint ventures in organic farming, technical support for dairy cooperatives in Chhattisgarh, or knowledge exchange programs for rural development officers – the possibilities are manifold.
A Path Forward
As Amul continues its journey of innovation and farmer-first practices, such collaborative interactions reinforce the importance of working in tandem with regional governments to scale impact. The visit of the Chhattisgarh delegation has laid a promising foundation for future cooperation, aligning perfectly with Amul’s mission to bring prosperity to rural communities across India.
With a shared vision of sustainable development, nutritional security, and farmer empowerment, Amul and the Government of Chhattisgarh are poised to chart a new course of progress — one that will serve as a model of cooperative excellence and inclusive growth.
