Mehta was speaking through video-conference on the occasion of Amul’s centennial year celebrations on Friday. The 100th year of Amul is celebrated as National Milk Day.
Fondly remembering Kurian, Mehta said, “Meaning of Verghese in Greek is ‘Kisan.’ Kurian went on to dedicate his life for ‘kisans’ and improved their lives and earnings by setting up Amul. He envisioned Amul as an umbrella which would protect farmers. Their interest and his vision led Amul to 50 countries across the globe. Till date, 80% of the share in Amul goes to farmers.”
A seminar was also held on the theme, “Legacy of Dr Verghese Kurien” at Chandigarh Club, Chandigarh.
Dr Verghese Kurien (November 26, 1921 – September 9, 2012), is known as the “Father of the White Revolution.” He was a social entrepreneur whose “billion-liter idea,” Operation Flood, made dairy farming India’s largest self-sustaining industry as well as the largest rural employment sector, accounting for a third of all rural income.
It made India the world’s largest milk producer, doubled the milk available for each person and increased milk output four-fold in 30 years. He pioneered the Anand model of dairy cooperatives and replicated it nationwide, based on various “top-down” and “bottom-up” approaches, where no milk from a farmer was refused and 80% of the price paid by consumers went to farmers. Dairy farmers controlled marketing, procurement and processing of milk and milk products as dairy owners.
It was Amul that launched the production of milk powder from buffalo milk instead of cow milk, which was in short supply in the country.
Besides, Dr Kurien was instrumental in setting up a number of institutes of repute, including Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA), National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India (NCDFI). He was also the founder chairman of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Limited (GCMMF). He created the brand Amul, which became a household name in India.
The ceremony was also addressed by Dr R S Sodhi (managing director), GCMMF, who told the audience how Dr Kurien made brand Amul a national and international success. He described cooperatives as the best option for the prosperity of farmers not only in dairy but in other agri-based ventures.
Sanjay Setia, chief general manager, Vita, spoke about the importance of dairying in doubling farmers’ income, particularly in Haryana. Vice-chancellor of a private university Dr Madhu Chitkara, Dr G S Rajorhia, president, Indian Dairy Association and Biraj Patnaik, executive director, NFI, described Dr Kurien as an exceptional leader.
Other speakers discussed various aspects of agri ventures. Dr Ashok Kumar, dean, college of agricultural engineering, PAU, Ludhiana delved into various post-harvest technologies which could make farming more profitable and sustainable. Rainoo Dhar, GM, Verka outlined the role of cooperatives in upliftment of the rural population and women. Dr S K Tomar, principal scientist (retd), National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal spoke about importance of balanced feed for livestock while Chandigarh Club president Sandeep Sahni described Dr Kurien as a role model for the youth.
