Credited with taking Amul business from Rs 8005 cr to to Rs. 39238 cr in his 10 year’ tenure as the MD of GCMMF, R S Sodhi has been unanimously elected to the Board of International Dairy Federation (IDF) during the General Assembly of IDF held on 1″ June 2021.
Indian National Committee nominated Dr Sodhi’s name to the IDF which was unanimously accepted. The General Assembly was held on the occasion of World Milk Day which falls on 1st of June.
“lt is an honour for me to represent the world’s largest milk producing country and contribute to promoting Sustainable Goals of dairying and also meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals”, said Sodhi soon after his election to the highest global dairy body.
Talking to Indian Cooperative later Sodhi stated that India’s cooperative approach constitutes an essential strategy by which millions of dairy farmers are being empowered to have a level playing field in the market and get a fair share of the value of milk. Dairying is the growth engine of our farm sector.
Dairy is not only about providing nutrition to consumers but also about ensuring sustainable livelihood for dairy farmers. The impressive growth and self-sufficiency in the dairy sector have been made possible by the concerted efforts of the dairy farmers, GOI, NDDB and many other stakeholders, underlined Sodhi.
Sodhi has 39 years of experience with Amul as he took over as its MD in the year 2010. This was also the year when the only news portal on co-operative www.indiancooperative.com was launched. Under his leadership milk procurement price paid by Amul to farmers increased by 140% in the last 10 years from Rs. 337 per Kg-fat in 2009-10 to Rs. 810 per Kg-Fat in 2020-21.
Through remunerative prices and technological support, Dr. R S Sodhi encouraged the farmers of Amul to increase milk procurement by 171% in the last 10 years from 91 lakhs litres per day in 2009-10 to 250 lakhs litres per day in 2020-21.
Sodhi also introduced several novel marketing campaigns such as Promoting milk as ‘world’s original energy drink’, ‘Eat Milk’ campaign motivating Indian youth in include dairy products in every meal and Amul Doodh Peeta Hai India.
He has been instrumental in launching more than 200 new products during his tenure as Managing Director. He has also guided the digital/social media marketing innovations in Indian dairy industry to ensure that the younger generation enhances consumption of milk and milk products.
Dr Sodhi’s significant contribution to dairy cooperatives is Amul’s distribution network. This has created new employment opportunities for many. His direction has also led the brand to remarkable success.
Under the leadership of Dr. R S Sodhi, in order to improve productivity of animals. Amul has initiated Strategic Productivity Enhancement Programme and to improve fertility of animals, Amul has initiated Fertility Improvement Programme (FIP).
Under this programme a dedicated and experienced team of Veterinary doctors conducted animal camps in selected villages. Under his leadership. 36 lakhs farmers of Amul Cooperative movement have planted 8.3 crores saplings over a 14-year period to help conserve our natural environment.
