AMARAVATI, JULY 21
The Andhra Pradesh government has signed an agreement with dairy major Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (GCMMF) that owns the Amul brand, for developing the dairy sector in the state.
On the occasion, Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy said the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GCMMF will help the dairy farmers get a better price by bringing in better marketing facilities and modern technology.
క్యాంపు కార్యాలయంలో ముఖ్యమంత్రి శ్రీ వైయస్.జగన్ సమక్షంలో అమూల్తో ఏపీ ప్రభుత్వం అవగాహన ఒప్పందం.
ఒప్పందంపై సంతకాలు చేసిన అగ్రికల్చర్ స్పెషల్ చీఫ్ సెక్రటరీ పూనం మాలకొండయ్య, అమూల్ చెన్నై జోనల్ హెడ్ రాజన్. pic.twitter.com/Esg8pfub9g
— CMO Andhra Pradesh (@AndhraPradeshCM) July 21, 2020
The MoU was signed by Agriculture Department Special Chief Secretary Poonam Malkondaiah and GCMMF Chennai Zonal Head Rajan here. GCMMF Managing Director R S Sodhi and Sabarkantha District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Chairman Sambalbhai Patel participated through video conference.
After signing the pact, the Chief Minister said the tie-up also gives dairy farmers an opportunity and exposure to world class infrastructure, technology and marketing opportunities which would improve their standard of living and self-reliance of women, an official statement quoted him said. Criticising the previous government for ”exploiting” the cooperative dairies for the benefit of a private firm, he said farmers had told him during his pre-poll padayatra that they were getting lower price as one litre bottle of water and milk was sold at a same price of Rs 22.
“All dairies under the state dairy cooperative federation have been put in the red. Though the State stands fourth in milk production, only 24 per cent was going to the organised sector. The partnership with AMUL will help farmers get good prices and women groups,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the state has potential to become a marketing hub for dairy products and suggested that the Institute of Rural Management (IRMA) set up its R&D unit in his Pulivendula assembly constituency.
The GCMMF Managing Director R.S. Sodhi said that the state has been producing four crore litres of milk per day and appreciated the government initiatives towards women’s self-reliance. The MoU will further their cause, he said, adding that the pact would be mutually beneficial.
Currently, Amul sells 140 lakh litre milk per day, mainly in Gujarat, Delhi-NCR and Uttar Pradesh. Its dairy products are sold across the country. Rural Development Minister Peddireddy Ramchandra Reddy and AP Dairy Development Cooperative Federation (APDDCF) Managing Director D Vani Mohan were also present in the meeting.
