Bharat Mata Ki Jai!
Bharat Mata Ki Jai!
Governor of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat ji; the popular Chief Minister of Gujarat, Bhupendrabhai Patel; my cabinet colleague Parshottam Rupala ji; esteemed colleague in Parliament CR Patil, Chairman of Amul Shri Shamalbhai, and all my brothers and sisters who have gathered here in such large numbers!
The sapling that was collectively planted by the villages of Gujarat 50 years ago has now grown into a magnificent banyan tree. Today, the branches of this colossal banyan tree have extended across the nation and abroad. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you on the golden jubilee of the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation. I also commend every individual, both men and women, who are associated with the milk committees of Gujarat. Additionally, I acknowledge another significant partner in this journey, the primary stakeholder in the dairy sector – our livestock. Today, I also honour the invaluable contribution of our livestock in the success of this endeavour. The dairy sector is incomplete without them, and hence, I express my gratitude towards the livestock of our country.
Brothers & Sisters,
Since Bharat's independence, numerous brands have emerged in the country, but none quite like Amul. Today, Amul stands as a symbol of Bharat's cattle rearers' resilience and strength. Amul embodies trust, progress, public participation, and the empowerment of farmers. It epitomizes the fusion of modernity with tradition, serving as an inspiration for a self-reliant Bharat, characterized by lofty aspirations, resolutions, and remarkable achievements. Amul's products are now exported to over 50 countries worldwide. With a network comprising more than 18 thousand milk cooperative groups, over 36 lakh farmers, and 3.5 crore litres of milk collected daily, alongside online payments exceeding Rs 200 crore to cattle rearers each day, Amul's scale of operation is truly formidable. This organization of small-scale livestock rearers thrives on the power of organization and cooperation.
Brothers and Sisters,
Amul serves as a testament to how forward-thinking decisions can shape the destiny of future generations. Its inception as the Kheda Milk Union, under the guidance of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, laid the foundation for what would become today's Amul. Over time, dairy cooperatives proliferated in Gujarat, culminating in the formation of the Gujarat Milk Marketing Federation. Even today, it remains an exemplary model of collaboration between the government and cooperatives. Thanks to such concerted efforts, Bharat has emerged as the largest milk-producing country globally, with approximately 8 crore people directly involved in the dairy sector. Over the past decade, milk production in Bharat has surged by approximately 60 percent, while per capita milk availability has increased by about 40 percent. While the global dairy sector grows at a modest rate of 2 percent, Bharat's dairy sector flourishes at a remarkable 6 percent.
Friends,
There is a significant aspect of Bharat's dairy sector that often goes unnoticed. On this momentous occasion, I wish to delve into this topic in depth. The driving force behind Bharat's dairy sector, with a turnover of Rs 10 lakh crore, is the nation's female workforce. Within our society, we have mothers, sisters, and daughters who contribute immensely to this sector. Even when considering staple crops like paddy, wheat, and sugarcane, their combined turnover does not match that of the dairy sector. Remarkably, 70 percent of the work in the dairy sector, with its substantial turnover, is carried out by our mothers, sisters, and daughters. They are truly the backbone of Bharat's dairy industry, showcasing the power of women. The remarkable success attained by Amul today is largely attributed to this female workforce. As Bharat strides forward with the mantra of Women-Led Development, the dairy sector's success stands as a profound inspiration. I firmly believe that to foster Bharat's development, it is imperative to enhance the economic empowerment of every woman in the country. Hence, our government is diligently working towards bolstering the economic standing of women across various fronts. Nearly 70 percent of the beneficiaries of the government's Mudra Yojana, which has provided over Rs 30 lakh crore, are women. Over the past decade, the number of women involved in self-help groups has surpassed 10 crores, with the BJP government offering financial assistance exceeding Rs 6 lakh crore. Furthermore, the majority of the 4 crore houses provided under the PM Awas Yojana are registered in the names of women, signifying their increasing economic participation in society. You may have heard about the NaMo Drone Didi campaign, aimed at empowering women further. Under this initiative, 15 thousand modern drones are being provided to village self-help groups, with women being trained to operate these drones. It won't be long before NaMo Drone Didis take the lead in various village activities, from pesticide spraying to fertilizer distribution.
Friends,
I am delighted to note that the number of women participating in our dairy cooperative societies here in Gujarat is steadily rising. During my time in Gujarat, we undertook a significant initiative for women involved in the dairy sector. We ensured that dairy payments were directly deposited into the bank accounts of these women. I commend Amul for upholding this practice today. With micro ATMs installed in every village, cattle rearers will have convenient access to cash withdrawals. Additionally, there are plans to issue RuPay credit cards to cattle rearers in the near future, starting with pilot projects in Panchmahal and Banaskantha.
Brothers & Sisters,
Gandhiji famously remarked that "the soul of India resides in its villages". To build a developed Bharat, it is imperative to bolster the rural economy. Unlike previous governments at the Centre, which approached the needs of the rural economy in a fragmented manner, our government has taken a comprehensive approach, addressing various aspects of village life. Our primary focus is on enhancing the livelihoods of small farmers, expanding the scope of the animal husbandry sector, and promoting the health and well-being of livestock. We are also keen on fostering activities like pisciculture and beekeeping in rural areas. To this end, we have introduced the Kisan Credit Card facility for cattle rearers and fishermen for the first time. Additionally, we have provided farmers with modern seeds resilient to climate change. Initiatives such as the Rashtriya Gokul Mission underscore our commitment to enhancing the quality of breed of milch animals. Foot and mouth disease has long plagued our livestock, causing significant losses to cattle rearers each year. To mitigate this, the central government has launched a nationwide free vaccination campaign, investing over Rs 15 thousand crores and administering 60 crore vaccines. Our aim is to eradicate foot and mouth disease by 2030.
Friends,
Yesterday, during a late-night cabinet meeting, the BJP government announced crucial measures related to livestock. Amendments to the National Livestock Mission were introduced to safeguard indigenous species, along with financial assistance schemes for utilizing barren land as pasture. Moreover, premium amounts for insuring livestock will be reduced, alleviating the financial burden on livestock rearers and fostering an increase in animal numbers and income for livestock rearers.
Friends,
We, the people of Gujarat, are familiar with the challenges posed by water scarcity. In regions like Saurashtra, Kutch, and North Gujarat, we have witnessed countless animals trekking for miles in search of water during droughts and famine. Heartbreaking images of dying animals piled up have left a lasting impact. The introduction of Narmada water has transformed the fate of such areas, and we are determined to prevent such crises in the future. The construction of over 60 thousand Amrit Sarovars by the government will significantly contribute to the rural economy. Our endeavour is to equip small farmers in villages with modern technology. In Gujarat, the adoption of micro-irrigation and drip irrigation has surged in recent years, with farmers receiving assistance for drip irrigation. We have established numerous Kisan Samriddhi Kendras to provide farmers with scientific solutions closer to their villages. Additionally, efforts are underway to assist farmers in producing organic fertilizers.
Friends,
Our government prioritizes transforming Anna-data or farmers into Urja-data or energy and fertilizer providers. We are distributing solar pumps to farmers and facilitating the installation of small solar plants in their fields. Furthermore, arrangements are being made to purchase cow dung from cattle rearers under the Gobardhan Yojana. At our dairy plants, electricity is generated from cow dung, and the resulting organic fertiliser is made available to farmers at a nominal cost. This initiative will not only benefit farmers and animals but also improve soil health in agricultural fields. The biogas plant established by Amul in Banaskantha marks a significant stride in this direction.
Friends,
We are significantly expanding the scope of cooperation in the rural economy. For the first time, we have established a separate Ministry of Cooperation at the Centre. Presently, cooperative societies are being established in over 2 lakh villages across the country. These committees are being formed in various sectors such as farming, animal husbandry, pisciculture, and even in manufacturing under the 'Made in India' initiative. Tax reductions have also been implemented significantly for these societies. Additionally, we are actively promoting the formation of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), with approximately 8000 out of the 10,000 FPOs already established. These organizations serve as significant platforms for small farmers, aiming to transform them into producers, agricultural entrepreneurs, and exporters. The BJP government is providing substantial financial assistance to Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), FPOs, and other cooperative societies. Moreover, we have allocated a fund of Rs 1 lakh crore for agriculture-related infrastructure in villages, which is benefitting farmers' cooperative organizations as well.
Friends,
Our government is also making record investments in modernizing infrastructure related to animal husbandry, with a special fund of Rs 30 thousand crore established for this purpose. Additionally, provisions have been made for increased interest rate rebates to dairy cooperative institutions. Substantial sums of money are being allocated for the modernization of dairy plants, with the inauguration of two significant projects under the Sabarkantha Milk Union today, including a modern plant capable of producing 800 tonnes of animal fodder per day.
Brothers & Sisters,
As I speak of a developed Bharat, I firmly believe in the collective efforts of everyone. Bharat has pledged to become a developed nation by its hundredth year of independence in 2047. Amul, as an organization, will also be celebrating its 75th anniversary then. I urge you all to leave with new resolutions today. Your significant role in fulfilling the nutritional needs of the rapidly growing population cannot be overstated. It's heartening to learn about your target of doubling the processing capacity of your plants in the next five years. Presently, Amul stands as the eighth-largest dairy company globally, but together, we aim to make it the world's largest dairy company at the earliest. Rest assured, the government stands firmly with you, and I guarantee unwavering support. And this is Modi's guarantee. Once again, congratulations to all on achieving this remarkable milestone of 50 years!
Thank you very much!
