36 lakh farmers get Rs 200-cr from GCMMF daily

Ahmedabad: Gujarat’s focus on animal husbandry has contributed significantly to the prosperity of the State’s people as 36 lakh milk producers collectively receive Rs 200 crore daily from the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), officials said. The dairy sector in the State has grown to Rs 1 lakh crore, they said. The upcoming 10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, to be held in Gandhinagar between January 10 and 12, will provide a platform for the government to showcase the state’s exponential growth in agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has said. As per a statement issued by the government, the agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry sectors in the state are experiencing significant growth through a combination of natural farming and advanced technologies, contributing to the circular economy of Gujarat and advancing its global reputation in the dairy sector.

“The upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2024 will showcase the state’s exponential growth in agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry, thanks to a combination of natural farming practices and cutting-edge technology. This holistic approach is not only boosting the circular economy but also elevating the state’s global standing in the dairy sector,” CM Patel said at a function held recently. The dairy industry in Gujarat has exceeded Rs 1 lakh crore, with Rs 200 crore being paid daily to 36 lakh milk producers through the GCMMF, a government release said. “The globally recognised Amul brand, under which the GCMMF markets milk and dairy products, stands as a testament to the hard work of millions of dairy farmers,” it said.

Amul’s organised dairy procurement from Gujarat has grown from 30 lakh litres to 270 lakh litres in 27 years, a nine-fold growth, showing the leap the state’s rural economy has taken over the years, said R S Sodhi, president of the Indian Dairy Association and former managing director of GCMMF. “Now imagine the entire country’s milk production increased by three times, but Gujarat’s dairy farmers saw a nine-fold increase. Nearly, Rs 160 crore is getting added to Gujarat’s rural economy for dairy farmers,” Sodhi said.