- GCMMF’s farmer-owned model sets new global benchmark in cooperative success
- “It is an honour to the tireless dedication of millions of women associated with Amul … a proud moment for Bharat” — says Union Home & Cooperation Minister Amit Shah
NE ECONOMIC BUREAU
DOHA, QATAR / ANAND, INDIA, NOV 4
In a landmark achievement, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. (GCMMF), better known for its iconic brand Amul, has been ranked the number one cooperative in the world based on GDP per capita performance in the latest International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) World Cooperative Monitor 2025. The announcement was made at the ICA CM50 conference in Doha, coinciding with the close of the International Year of Cooperatives 2025.
The recognition shines a spotlight on Amul’s farmer-led cooperative model that empowers over 3.6 million milk producers, majority of them women, through its three-tier structure spanning 18,600 village dairy cooperatives. The achievement underscores India’s rural transformation and moves towards self-reliance and inclusive growth.
Dr. Jayen Mehta, Managing Director of GCMMF, said: “Amul is a brand owned entirely by farmers. They manage everything — from milk collection and manufacturing to marketing. Our impact goes far beyond economics; our model supports multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, from poverty reduction and gender equality to sustainable communities. Amul’s currency isn’t milk — it’s trust, the trust of millions of producers and billions of consumers.”
Union Home & Cooperation Minister Amit Shah praised the achievement, describing it as: “A proud moment for Bharat. It is an honour to the tireless dedication of millions of women associated with Amul and farmers contributing to the cooperative movement, which is being transformed into a global model of empowerment and self-reliance under our leadership.”
Headquartered in Brussels, the ICA monitors top cooperatives worldwide each year in collaboration with the European Research Institute on Cooperative and Social Enterprises (EURICSE). This year’s ranking reflects Amul’s consistent growth, innovation, and people-first approach in a competitive global landscape.
Beyond the accolade, the recognition affirms the strength and scalability of India’s cooperative model — driven by collaborations between grassroots producers and modern business practices — and sets a global benchmark for cooperatives around the world.
