The cooperative dairy model proved successful in the decentralized rural economy: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the launch of multiple projects by Banas Dairy in Banaskantha, Gujarat, on Tuesday that the cooperative dairy model has proved a successful decentralized rural economy and created wealth for the community.
Modi told a large crowd of women dairy farmers and cooperative leaders from across the state that India produces an unrivaled amount of milk each year. Also read | PM Modi to inaugurate India’s first dairy community radio station ‘Dudh Vani’ in Gujarat.
‘India is the world’s largest milk producer, producing about 8.5 lakh crore worth of milk every year, which is more than the country’s wheat and paddy combined. This is the wealth generated by village farmers. It depicts a decentralized rural economy in action’ In his speech, Modi said.
Prime Minister Modi claimed that the Banaskantha District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union (Banas Dairy) has demonstrated its capabilities in areas other than milk production and dairy processing, claiming that the dairy has successfully ventured into areas such as potato processing, animal husbandry, manure management, honey production, energy centers, and children education, in addition to establishing a medical college in the district during the Covid-19 crisis.
‘Small farmers benefit the most from dairy cooperatives. Those with a smaller land holding of 2-3 bigha are frequently subjected to unpredictable monsoons and water shortages. Animal husbandry allows a small farmer to survive and feed his family in such conditions’ he added.
Banas Dairy, one of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation’s (GCMMF) 18 cooperative dairy members, has recently expanded outside of Gujarat, into states such as Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha.
‘Banas Dairy has expanded its operations from Lord Somnath’s homeland in the west to Lord Jagannath’s homeland in the east,’ Modi said. Prime Minister Modi dedicated Banas Dairy’s new dairy complex and potato processing plant in Diyodar, Banaskantha district, to the nation on the second day of his three-day Gujarat tour.
The greenfield complex, which cost over ₹600 crore to construct, will be able to process around 30 lakh liters of milk per day, as well as produce 80 tonnes of butter, one lakh liters of ice cream, 20 tonnes of condensed milk (Khoya), and 6 tonnes of chocolate.
Along with the dairy complex, the Prime Minister also opened a Bio-CNG plant and expanded Banas Dairy’s cheese and whey powder manufacturing facilities in Palanpur.
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Because Banaskantha is a hotbed for potato cultivation, it was an ideal location for the dairy to establish a potato processing plant to produce products such as french fries, potato chips, aloo tikki, patties, and other items that could be exported to other countries.
The Prime Minister also launched Dudh Vani, a community radio station dedicated to animal husbandry that serves over five lakh dairy farmers in 1700 villages across the state. This makes it the country’s first cattle-breeder-focused community radio station.
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