KHEDA (Guj) : On his maiden visit to Gujarat, President Pranab Mukherjee today praised the “vibrant” state for achieving a comprehensive socio-economic development, which he said was possible due to the “industrious and enterprising nature” of the Gujaratis.
Inaugurating Amul’s cattle feed manufacturing plant here, Mukherjee said the state has some of the “largest industrial corporations while its agricultural growth is amongst the highest in the country.”
The President said the state has progressed on all fronts after Independence and this has been possible due to the industrious and enterprising nature of the Gujaratis.
He also said that Gujarat is the forerunner of the cooperative movement in the dairy sector.
The President is on a three-day maiden visit to Gujarat after assuming country’s top office on July 25, 2012.
Mukherjee mentioned that the state had played a leading role in India’s freedom struggle and some of the tallest leaders of the movement belonged to this region.
The Sabarmati Ashram of Mahatma Gandhi was the nerve of the freedom movement, the President said.
“I am also glad to have this opportunity to visit Gujarat, a vibrant state which has shown the way forward for comprehensive socio-economic development,” Mukherjee said.
He said the government has prioritised its support for dairy sector through a National Daily Plan under which Rs 2,242 crore will be invested in the first phase.
After inaugurating the plant, the President said the dairy farmers can rest assured that they will continue to receive all support from the government.
He paid tribute to great leaders like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Morarji Desai, Tribhuvandas Patel and Verghese Kurien (also known as Milk man of India) for their guidance and leadership in the Amul co-operative movement.
Amul Dairy is a group under the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation. This apex marketing body has 3.6 million dairy farmers in Gujarat with an average daily milk procurement of 16 million litres and annual turnover of over 22,000 crore rupees.
Amul is the largest liquid milk brand in Asia and the largest food brand in India.
It is also India’s largest exporter of dairy products.
During the event, which was attended by Gujarat Governor O P Kohli and Chief Minister Anandiben Patel along with Leader of Opposition in state Assembly Shankarainh Vaghela, a cultural programme depicting country’s unity and Gujarati tradition was also performed.
Mukherjee said dairy is one sector where cooperative efforts complemented by government support have worked wonders.
The government has now prioritised its support for the dairy sector through a National Dairy Plan, being managed by National Dairy Development Board, the President said.
“Given that the productivity of our milch animals is still low compared to global standards, an outlay of Rs 2,242 crore rupees will be invested in the first phase of the plan.
“It is expected that the resultant growth in milk production will fully meet the estimated growth in demand for milk and milk products in our country,” he said, adding that “Amul is truly the pride of India”.
The onus is on the current generation of farmer-leaders, professionals and other stakeholders to expand the Amul movement in a way that benefits farmers across the board, Mukherjee said.
“I urge you all to ensure that this world-class institution continues to progress with the same passion and commitment, and with the same values of integrity, efficiency and honesty which the founding fathers had instilled in Amul,” the President said.
The function was attended by a large number of farmers associated with the Amul and Mukherjee’s speech was translated live in Gujarati for them by interpreter. (PTI)
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