Gandhinagar: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the newly constructed Madhur Dairy milk processing plant at Dashela in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on Sunday. The fully automated facility is expected to strengthen India’s dairy sector and significantly boost the income of livestock farmers.
Modern 15-Acre Fully Automated Dairy Facility
The new plant has been developed over 15 acres at a cost of ₹128 crore. It has an initial milk processing capacity of 2.5 lakh litres per day, with plans to expand it to 5 lakh litres daily in the future.
Amit Shah said the facility will play a key role in enhancing the economic progress of farmers, especially those engaged in livestock rearing.
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75% Profits to Be Shared with Farmers
Highlighting the cooperative model, Shah announced that around 75% of profits remaining after operational costs will be directly transferred to the bank accounts of livestock farmers.
He described the dairy sector as a strong pillar of rural prosperity and women empowerment in Gujarat.
Women Farmers Driving Gujarat’s Dairy Revolution
Shah noted that nearly 3.6 million women livestock farmers contribute to milk production in Gujarat, collecting around 3 crore litres of milk daily.
This leads to nearly ₹200 crore being deposited daily into their bank accounts, transforming financial independence in rural households.
He remarked that women who were once financially dependent are now becoming “heads of their households” due to the dairy cooperative movement.
White Revolution 2.0 Vision and Income Growth Target
The Union Minister outlined the government’s vision of White Revolution 2.0, aiming to triple India’s milk production over the next decade.
He also set a target of increasing livestock farmers’ income by at least 20%, supported by a circular economy model in the dairy sector.
Amul’s Growth and Technology-Driven Farming
Shah praised the success of Amul, noting that its sugar-free chocolate leads India’s sugar-free chocolate segment, ensuring direct financial benefits for farmers.
He also highlighted the use of technology in dairy operations, including the AI-based digital assistant “Saralaben”, launched to support rural women in animal husbandry and farming.
Legacy of Madhur Dairy and Cooperative Movement
Shah praised Madhur Dairy’s journey, linking its foundation to leaders like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Tribhuvandas Patel, and Verghese Kurien.
Founded in 1971 with just four cooperative societies and 6,000 litres of milk collection, Madhur Dairy has now grown into a major institution with an annual turnover of ₹268 crore.
CM Bhupendra Patel Highlights Cooperative Success
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also addressed the event, praising the state’s strong cooperative tradition.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Prosperity through Cooperation” has strengthened the sector and aligned it with modern development needs.
The CM also highlighted a 50-year-old consumers’ cooperative society in Gandhinagar with 15,000 members and 230 distribution centres, showcasing strong public participation in the cooperative ecosystem.
Celebration of Cooperative Growth and Development
The Chief Minister described the inauguration as a milestone marking the transition from the White Revolution to a broader Development Revolution in Gujarat, and congratulated the Madhur Dairy community on its achievement.
