Union Minister of Cooperation and Home Affairs Amit Shah marked a significant milestone in the cooperative movement by launching Gujarat’s first salt cooperative initiative.
Speaking during an event in Gujarat, commemorating four years of the Ministry of Cooperation, Shah said, “Salt was the only segment left untouched by the cooperative movement. Today, that gap has been filled.”
He praised Humbalbhai, the visionary behind the Kutch District Cooperative Salt Federation, and underscored how this move would bring fair income and dignity to traditional salt workers, the Agariyas, through a structured, community-driven model.
Amul expansion symbolises cooperative success
In addition to the salt initiative, the minister inaugurated expansions of Amul’s Mogar chocolate plant and Khatraj cheese facility.
He also unveiled the new Sardar Patel Cooperative Dairy Federation, reflecting Amul’s commitment to growing its national presence.
Shah highlighted Amul’s rapid rise, powered by women.
“Today, 36 lakh women in Gujarat and 20 lakh more across India run Amul’s operations. Thanks to them, Amul’s turnover has reached ₹80,000 crore. Next year, we will cross ₹1 lakh crore — and the profit will go straight into the accounts of 56 lakh women,” he said.
Gujarat remains a beacon of India’s cooperative movement, with over 83,000 cooperative societies and more than 1.7 crore active members.
The state’s dairy sector, led by the Anand Pattern, includes giants like Amul, Banas Dairy, and Dudhsagar Dairy.
Together, they support 3.6 million milk producers and generate annual revenues exceeding ₹90,000 crore.
Notably, the participation of women has seen a sharp rise. Between 2020 and 2025, the number of women-led dairy cooperatives grew by 21 per cent — from 3,764 to 4,562.
Women now form 25 per cent of milk union boards and 32 per cent of producer-members, with milk procurement from women-led bodies rising by 39 per cent to 57 lakh litres per day — generating over ₹9,000 crore annually.
Cooperative banking & financial inclusion
Shah also reviewed progress on financial reforms in the cooperative sector.
The ‘Cooperation among Cooperatives’ initiative now spans 33 districts, has opened over four lakh new bank accounts, and added more than ₹966 crore in deposits.
This has significantly improved liquidity and credit access for cooperative members.
He concluded by reaffirming that the cooperative model, exemplified by Amul, is not about enriching individuals but empowering entire communities.
“The path to India’s prosperity runs through the villages — and cooperatives are that bridge,” Shah said.
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