Pranab opens modern cattle feed plant in Gujarat

President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday inaugurated Amul's and the country's most modern state-of-the-art cattle feed plant in Kapdivav village near here in Gujarat's Kheda district.

Mukhejee, who arrived here on his first visit to Gujarat after assuming office as president in 2012, said: "Amul would revolutionise cattle feed manufacturing in the country to address the nutritional requirements of the cattle population."

Complimenting the dairy cooperative, he said: "The onus is on the current generation of farmer-leaders, professionals and other stakeholders to expand the Amul movement. I urge you all to ensure that this world-class institution continues to progress with the same passion and commitment."

According to Amul chairman Ramsinh Parmar and managing director R.S. Sodhi, the plant, spread over 24 acres with a built-up storage area of 50,000 square metres, has a capacity to produce 2,000 tonnes feed a day to serve 300 million cattle nationwide.

Amul now has plants in Gujarat, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Punjab and the US.

Speaking on the occasion, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel claimed that it was due to her government's efforts that the state had registered a healthy growth of 15.36 percent in the 18th national cattle population census.

The State holds one free veterinary health checkup camp every year, and has a target of setting up at least one veterinary centre for every 10 villages by the end of this year.

"During the last one-and-a-half years, Gujarat has treated 137 lakh animals free of cost," she added.

President Mukherjee will also address the 62nd convocation of the Gujarat Vidyapith and visit the Sabarmati Ashram to inaugurate its Archive and Research Centre before going to the Samanth temple and the Dwarkadheesh temple on Tuesday.