Amul, India’s leading dairy cooperative, plans to set up 7,500 dairy units in Uttar Pradesh, aiming to enhance milk procurement and empower rural farmers. The expansion, backed by a significant investment, is expected to create thousands of jobs and strengthen the state’s dairy sector, aligning with its position as India’s top milk producer.
Amul’s Mega Dairy Expansion in Uttar Pradesh
The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which operates under the Amul brand, has announced an ambitious plan to establish 7,500 dairy units across Uttar Pradesh, reinforcing its commitment to transforming the state’s dairy sector. This move comes as Uttar Pradesh, India’s largest milk-producing state, contributes nearly 20% to the nation’s milk production but faces challenges like low yield per animal and reliance on unorganized players.
The initiative aims to replicate Amul’s successful “Anand Pattern,” a cooperative model that empowers small-scale farmers through collective action. Each dairy unit will serve as a milk collection and processing hub, equipped with modern infrastructure like bulk milk chilling units (BMCUs) and automatic milk collection units (AMCUs). This will enable farmers to receive fair prices, timely payments, and access to quality feed and veterinary services, addressing longstanding issues of exploitation by middlemen.
Sources indicate that the expansion will focus on districts such as Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, and Baghpat, building on Amul’s existing presence in the state. In 2023, Amul invested Rs 900 crore to establish a dairy plant in Baghpat with a capacity to process 8 lakh litres of milk daily, expandable to 14 lakh litres. The new initiative is expected to scale up milk procurement from the current 10 lakh litres per day to 45 lakh litres over the next few years, engaging over 5 lakh farmers across 4,000 milk societies.
The project is poised to generate significant employment opportunities, with estimates suggesting over 4,000 direct jobs and 40,000 indirect jobs in rural areas. This aligns with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision of doubling farmers’ income by strengthening the dairy sector. Amul’s entry has already reduced milk adulteration in the state, as its stringent quality control measures set a benchmark for competitors.
The expansion will also leverage partnerships with local cooperatives and women’s self-help groups, promoting economic empowerment, particularly for rural women. Amul’s managing director, Jayen Mehta, emphasized the cooperative’s goal to make Uttar Pradesh a model for dairy development, similar to Gujarat, where Amul procures 250-270 lakh litres of milk daily.
This initiative follows Amul’s recent global forays, including fresh milk sales in the United States, but its focus remains on strengthening India’s rural economy. With Uttar Pradesh’s vast livestock population, the state offers immense potential for Amul to expand its footprint while uplifting millions of dairy farmers.
Disclaimer: This article is based on recent news reports, official statements from Amul, and government sources. Information is sourced from credible outlets like The Hindu, Business Standard, and posts on X. Data accuracy is subject to change as new developments emerge.