Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah today chaired a high-level meeting in the capital focused on “Sustainability and Circularity in the Cooperative Dairy Sector.” The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Cooperation Krishan Pal Gurjar, Murlidhar Mohol, Secretary of the Ministry of Cooperation Ashish Bhutani, Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying Alka Upadhyaya, NDDB Chairman Dr. Meenesh Shah, and NABARD Chairman Shaji K.V.
Taking forward Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi”, the Ministry announced the establishment of three new Multi-State Cooperative Societies aimed at enhancing sustainability in dairy operations.
The first cooperative will focus on animal feed production, disease control, and artificial insemination. The second will develop innovative models for dung management, while the third will promote the circular use of deceased cattle remains to maximize environmental value.
Shah emphasized that as the country advances toward White Revolution 2.0, the goal must not only be the expansion and efficiency of dairy cooperatives but also the creation of an ecosystem that promotes sustainability and circular economy practices. He stressed the need for an integrated cooperative network that empowers farmers and facilitates mutual collaboration.
Highlighting the importance of farmer-centric development, Shah called for direct transfer of carbon credit benefits to farmers through scientific models. He urged strengthening milk unions and cooperative societies while promoting food processing within dairy plants — all crucial to increasing farmer income and promoting eco-friendly development.
He underscored the role of dairy cooperatives in rural development, noting their significance in providing livelihoods to millions of rural families. These cooperatives, he said, play a pivotal role in milk production and marketing, offering services like credit, veterinary care, and reproductive support to small farmers, while also enhancing women’s participation and empowerment.
Shah remarked that the journey from sustainability to circularity must now be farmer-led, with cooperative institutions offering services currently provided by the private sector — including technology, feed supply, disease control, dung management, and processing.
Citing successful models like Amul, he reaffirmed that the Ministry of Cooperation, in collaboration with other departments and stakeholders, is not only advancing dairy development but also strengthening village-level cooperatives by linking them with diverse economic activities. These efforts, he noted, will play a crucial role in realizing the vision of a developed India.
The Minister lauded national institutions like NCDC, NDDB, and NABARD for their role in strengthening cooperatives. He acknowledged NDDB’s pioneering work in biogas and dung management and called for its expansion nationwide.
