The Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah launched the Sardar Patel Cooperative Dairy Federation (SPCDF) in Anand, Gujarat, with the goal of uniting 20 lakh dairy farmers from 20 states under a single, organized, and fair procurement system. With an initial corpus of ₹200 crore, the federation aims to ensure equitable pricing and empower women in the dairy sector. The launch coincided with the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel and the International Year of Cooperatives. The minister also announced new PACS, cooperative universities, national-level cooperative bodies, and major infrastructure projects, reinforcing the government’s focus on cooperative-led economic growth.
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Sunday (July 06) launched the Sardar Patel Cooperative Dairy Federation Limited (SPCDF) in Anand, Gujarat, marking a significant milestone in India’s cooperative journey. Modeled on the iconic Amul success story, the new multi-state cooperative federation seeks to empower farmers, especially women, while fostering a circular economy in the dairy sector through the creation of a robust, inclusive, and fair milk procurement and distribution system across the country.
Established under the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002, the new multi-state cooperative federation is being launched in a significant year that marks the United Nations’ International Year of Cooperatives. Unveiled during the 150th birth anniversary year of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the federation aspires to scale the cooperative model that reshaped Gujarat’s dairy industry to a pan-India level.
With an initial corpus of ₹200 crore, SPCDF will unite 20 lakh dairy farmers from 20 states, bringing them under a single umbrella to strengthen organized milk procurement and equitable pricing mechanisms.
Describing it as a “fresh chapter in India’s cooperative sector,” the Minister emphasized that the venture, supported by the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF)—the parent organization behind the ₹80,000 crore Amul brand—will function on the principles of transparency, technology, and member-centric governance.
“The Sardar Patel Cooperative Dairy Federation will help farmers at a level that Amul does, by engaging in fair milk procurement and providing appropriate pricing,” stated the Minister, while unveiling the federation’s logo at a function held at Amul Dairy, Anand—India’s iconic “Milk City.”
The federation’s governing body will reflect a diverse and inclusive structure. According to the initial plans, the GCMMF will hold 20% equity, 10 Gujarat-based milk unions will hold 60% equity, and the remaining 20% equity will be represented by three board members from outside Gujarat. This will ensure that the voices of milk producers from across India are included in decision-making.
The federation will help bring together dairy farmers from nearly 20,000 small and big unregistered milk cooperatives in 20 states and integrate them into a formal, structured ecosystem. Of the 300 lakh litres of milk collected daily by GCMMF and its 18 member unions, around 20% currently comes from outside Gujarat. With the formation of SPCDF, these volumes are expected to rise significantly, allowing non-Gujarat dairy farmers to gain better market access and income.
Empowering Women and Building Prosperity
A major highlight of the announcement was the emphasis on women’s empowerment. The Minister noted that currently, 36 lakh women in Gujarat and another 20 lakh women from other states are integral to Amul’s operations. The existing ₹80,000 crore turnover is expected to surpass ₹1 lakh crore next year. He stated that the profits would go directly into the accounts of these 56 lakh sisters.
“Prosperity is not of an individual but of the entire society, affluence is not of a few rich people but of the poor, labourers and farmers,” the minister said, noting that these initiatives have been undertaken by Prime Minister Modi with this vision in mind.
The Minister also outlined the “Five Ps” that will guide the future of India’s cooperative movement. These are:
- People (People Service Centred),
- PACS (Empowerment of Primary Cooperative Societies),
- Platform (Digital Integration),
- Policy (Reform-Driven Policies), and
- Prosperity (Societal Growth).
He stressed that for cooperatives to thrive in a competitive environment, they must embrace technology, foster transparency, and remain accountable to their members. These principles, he said, are non-negotiable.
“Without technology, there can be no prosperity in the cooperative sector. Transparency, technology, and member-first culture must define cooperatives from Jammu & Kashmir to Kamakhya, and in every village across India,” the Minister noted.
The launch event also marked the completion of four years of the formation of the Ministry of Cooperation. Established four years ago in 2021, the Ministry has since launched over 60 initiatives aimed at empowering people, strengthening Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), building digital platforms, driving policy reforms, and promoting prosperity. The minister highlighted that the cooperative spirit has been deeply rooted in Indian society since the Vedic period, and it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who institutionalized it through the creation of the ministry. This effort has rejuvenated over 8.4 lakh cooperative societies, impacting the lives of nearly 31 crore people across the country.
In addition to dairy, the event also witnessed the launch of the Kutch District Salt Cooperative Society, aimed at benefitting Gujarat’s Agariyas—salt workers in the Little Rann of Kutch. Gujarat accounts for over 70% of India’s salt production, with around 30% coming from this region. The Minister sated that the profits from salt production would now directly benefit the Agariyas, bringing them into the formal cooperative fold.
He also inaugurated several infrastructure and development projects virtually. These include
- Expansion of the Dr. Verghese Kurien Cheese Plant in Kheda
- Expansion of the Chocolate Plant in Mogar
- Maniben Patel Bhawan, the new office of the National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India (NCDFI) in Anand
- A Ready-to-Use Culture (RUC) Plant built by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) at a cost of ₹45 crore
Among the other major announcements was the upcoming Tribhuvan Sahkari University, named after cooperative pioneer Tribhuvandas Patel, and the planned creation of 2 lakh new PACS (Primary Agricultural Credit Societies). Additionally, six new national-level cooperative bodies are in the pipeline—three each in the grain and dairy sectors.
The launch of the Sardar Patel Cooperative Dairy Federation signals a major stride toward nationwide cooperative development. By uniting farmers, especially women, through transparent, tech-driven, and inclusive systems, SPCDF promises equitable growth, better incomes, and national dairy integration—ushering in a new era of prosperity and empowerment in rural India.
