New Delhi. Dr. Meenesh C Shah , Chairman, NDDB delivered the keynote address at the Sahakar Bharati – All India event hosted by NDDB at its headquarters in Anand, Gujarat. The event saw participation from prominent cooperative leaders, farmers and stakeholders from across the country. It showcased a renewed commitment to the cooperative movement as a powerful catalyst in achieving the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047.’ The event was also graced by Shri Shankar Chaudhary, Speaker, Gujarat Legislative Assembly & Chairman, Banas Dairy , Shri Jagdishbhai Vishwakarma, Minister of State for Cooperation, Government of Gujarat, Shri Deepakbhai Chourasiya, National General Secretary, Sahkar Bharati, Shri Shamalbhai Patel, Chairman, Amul , Shri Vipulbhai Patel, Chairman, Amul Dairy & Shri Maheshbhai patel, President, Gujarat Sahkar Bharati.
In his keynote address, Dr. Meenesh Shah, Chairman of NDDB, reflected on India’s dairy sectors transformational journey of milk deficiency to self sufficiency. The remarkable dairy journey began with the dairy movement that led to the founding of Amul in 1946. With it, the ‘Anand Pattern’ of cooperatives was born which was replicated through out the country by NDDB. This grassroots approach of White Revolution empowered millions of farmers and played a pivotal role in making India the world’s largest milk producer. Dr. Shah emphasised that cooperatives continue to be vital in sustaining 80 millions farmers and bringing them into the mainstream economy while ensuring inclusive growth.
Dr. Shah also spoke about path breaking decision of the Goverment to form separate Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India Led by Shri Amit Shah ji, the country’s first Cooperation Minister, this landmark decision that has not only strengthened the cooperative movement, but also brought a sharper focus and coordinated efforts to build a strong cooperative ecosystem. Within a short span of its formation, the Ministry has development vision for the cooperative movement in the country.
Dr. Shah outlined the vision for White Revolution 2.0, which seeks to build upon past achievements with new initiatives. This includes the establishment of 75,000 new cooperative societies over the next five years, strengthening of existing cooperatives in terms of expansion of dairy infrastructure with bulk milk coolers and digital technologies, and the strengthening of logistics and supply chains.
He also outlined the formation of three new multi-state cooperative societies namely: National Cooperative Organics Limited, which promotes organic agriculture; Bharatiya Beej Sahkari Samiti Limited which focuses on seed production and distribution; and National Cooperative Exports Limited, which aims to boost India’s cooperative exports has proved to be a game changer in ensuring rights of farmers and providing them better returns for their products. These institutions reflect a modern and diversified vision for the cooperative sector and aim to connect Indian farmers with global markets.
He also spoke about NDDB’s ongoing sustainability initiatives and efforts to streamline the functioning of multi-level cooperatives and also promote circularity for the benefit of the farmers. All these actions are intended to support a self-reliant and empowered rural India, in alignment with the national vision of achieving “Viksit Bharat by 2047”.
The Sahkar Bharati event underlined the transformative power of India’s cooperative framework and NDDB’s unwavering commitment to building a strong, inclusive, and self-sustaining rural economy through collaboration, innovation, and empowerment.
The event was also attended by Shri Sunilbhai Mehta, RSS Gujarat Shetriya Boudhik Pramukh, Shri Devendra Sharma, National Dairy Prakosht President, Sahkar Bharati, Shri Sanjaybhai, Shri Yogeshbhai, Shri Niranjan, Board Members of Banas Dairy & progressive farmers.
Dr. Shah, attended the foundation stone laying ceremony for a new 20 TLPD Ice Cream Plant at the Pondicherry Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union Ltd. at Kurumampet. The event was graced by key dignitaries including Hon’ble Chief Minister, Puducherry, Thiru N.Rangasamy, Hon’ble Speaker of the Pondicherry Assembly, Thiru R. Selvam, Hon’ble Minister for Adi Dravidar and Tribes Welfare, Thiru A.K. Sai J. Saravanankumar, Dr. Sharat Chauhan, Chief Secretary, Govt of Puducherry, Dr. Jayantha Kumar Ray, Secretary (Cooperation), Govt of Puducherry farmers & cooperative leaders.
Acknowledging Puducherry’s preference for Ponlait products, Hon’ble CM thanked NDDB and Dr. Meenesh Shah for their crucial support. While celebrating the ocassion, he called upon youth to embrace dairy farming, emphasising the plant’s success hinges on collective employee dedication.
Hon’ble Speaker of Assembly, Thiru R. Selvam, recounted Ponlait’s impressive growth while also addressing challenges like rising rearing costs. He urged employee support for cooperative strength and thanked NDDB and the Chief Minister for their backing, advocating for a new, modern dairy plant.
Hon’ble Minister for Adi Dravidar and Tribes Welfare, Thiru A.K. Sai J. Saravanankumar highlighted the dairy sector’s economic significance, particularly for rural and tribal livelihoods, and appreciated quality of Ponlait’s milk and milk products.
Chairman NDDB highlighted NDDB’s enduring partnership with Ponlait, emphasising its role in cooperative development and support for farmers. He said that the facility is expected to create new income opportunities, especially for women, and provide quality local dairy products. He outlined NDDB’s commitment to strengthen Puducherry’s dairy sector through infrastructure expansion and insisted upon the requirement of a new plant considering that the present plant is old and of obsolete technology. He also stressed upon the need for product diversification, enhanced quality, empowering women & youth.
Connecting local efforts to national goals, he also emphasised on dairying’s crucial role in Viksit Bharat 2047, India being the world’s largest milk producer. He cited the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India’s initiatives and NDDB’s ‘Dairying in India @ 2047’ vision, focusing on productivity, cooperative growth, value-added products, global trade, and sustainability.
He concluded by assuring continued NDDB support to make Puducherry’s dairy sector a model of inclusive and sustainable development.