Amul model should be replicated in other areas: Pranab

The President is on a three-day visit to Gujarat

Beginning his three-day visit to Gujarat by launching the cattle feed plant by Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), popularly known as Amul, at Kapadivav village, President of India Pranab Mukherjee called for replication of the co-operative model in other areas.

Addressing the milk producers of Gujarat at the plant inauguration, Mukherjee said, "Following Amul model could help address problems in other areas faced by our farming community."

GCMMF has set up a fully automated cattle feed plant with production capacity of 2,200 tonnes per day at an investment of about Rs 200 crore.

During the programme Mukherjee also remembered Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Morarji Desai, Dr. Verghese Kurien and others who contributed in development of the nation. "Contribution of Gujarat in the development of the India is very huge in every way and it has been done because of hardworking nature of the people in the state," he said.

Talking about the state's progressive nature, Mukherjee said: "Gujarat has progressed on all fronts after independence. This has been possible due to the industrious and enterprising nature of the Gujarati people. The state has some of the largest industrial corporations while its agricultural growth is amongst the highest in the country."

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel said, "The state government is committed to do everything for betterment of cattle and farmers and will continue to support such activities."

GCMMF has 12 cattle feed plants in Gujarat with combined production capacity of more than 7,000 tonnes a day. In order to facilitate the required nutrition for efficient milk production, Amul provides the feed to the milk producers.

The fully automated plant has been designed and constructed by Amul Dairy in co-ordination with Denmark based Andritz Feed and Biofuel. The project was executed by Andritz Technologies Private Limited - Chennai.

According to Amul, several technologies in the latest cattle feed plant were being introduced for the first time in the country.

Meanwhile, it is also planning to set up three new cattle feed plant in Gujarat, R S Sodhi, managing director of Amul said. "We are planning to setup three new cattle feed plant at Amreli, Bhavnagar and Valsad district in next two years," he added.