Amul all set to expand operations in Varanasi

Popular dairy brand and a product of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Limited from Anand, Amul, is aiming to expand its presence to Varanasi by setting up a processing unit.

The cooperative is the apex marketing body of 13 district milk unions of Gujarat, having 2.7 million producer members, which works for providing remunerative returns to the farmers and also to serve the interest of consumers by providing quality products.

Banas Dairy, a member of the union of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation that markets Amul, will set up a dairy processing plant in Varanasi which will initially process five lakh litres per day with the capacity to double the production.

Chairman of the Baroda District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Limited (BDCMPUL), Parthi Bhatol, on Thursday said that in the initial stages they would start with milk, curd and buttermilk packaging, and add ice cream and other dairy products later on.

"We have taken 30 acres of land from the government in Varanasi which is near to the airport and is at a good location. We will be building a plant that can process five lakh litters of milk that will require the investment of two billion. Even today, we are selling about one lakh litres of milk in Varanasi and Allahabad," Bhatol told reporters in Anand.

As the undisputed leader of the organised Indian dairy sector, GCMMF has ventured into the sector of traditional sweets as well as flavoured yoghurts and also forayed into unexplored territories.

Bhatol added that this will benefit the farmers as well as boost development of Uttar Pradesh, as it will generate employment for hundreds.

"Amul had taken the decision to do this earlier only. For the last eight years, our federation is selling milk there because of which the people of Lucknow, Kanpur and Allahabad have started to get good quality milk in comparison to the past. The good thing is that Modi became the Prime Minister candidate. He is contesting elections from Varanasi and now he is going to be the Prime Minister which is a moment of joy for us," Bhatol said.

Moving ahead Amul plans to enhance and widen its product portfolio, based on demand and expectations of its loyal consumers.

During the last four years, GCMMF has ensured 59 per cent increase in milk procurement price to its farmers, resulting in 46 per cent growth in milk procurement during the same period.

The Gujarat based dairy firm underlined that for the price taken from customers, some amount is paid back to the diary farmers who are the actual owners.

Amul is a major supplier of milk to the national capital region, selling about 26 lakh litters per day.

This co-operative venture is a brainchild of Dr. Verghese Kurien, a Magasaysay Award winner.