Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, inaugurated the newly constructed Bio-CNG and Fertilizer Plant of Banas Dairy and laid the foundation stone for a 150-ton milk powder plant in the Vav–Tharad district of Gujarat. The event saw the presence of Gujarat Assembly Speaker Shri Shankar Chaudhary, Union Ministers of State for Cooperation Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar and Shri Murlidhar Mohol, Union Cooperation Secretary Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, and several other dignitaries.
Women at the Heart of a ₹24,000-Crore Cooperative Success Story
Addressing the gathering, Shri Amit Shah reflected on the extraordinary rise of Banas Dairy—founded by Galbabhai Nanjibhai Patel—which has grown into a ₹24,000-crore enterprise powered principally by the hard work of women dairy farmers.
He noted that even India’s biggest corporate groups would find building such an enterprise challenging, yet the women and farmers of Banaskantha have achieved this “in the blink of an eye.”
Shri Shah said the transparent cooperative system ensures that payments for milk reach directly into the bank accounts of women members every week, providing a global model of genuine grassroots empowerment.
White Revolution 2.0: Ambitious Targets Set by the Prime Minister
Shri Amit Shah emphasised that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has set ambitious goals for White Revolution 2.0, aiming to transform India into a global dairy powerhouse.
He stated that the revolution will be powered by four major pillars:
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National Gokul Mission
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Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund
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Restructured National Dairy Plan
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National Animal Disease Control Programme
These initiatives together will strengthen dairy productivity, breed development, infrastructure creation, and animal health—ensuring consistent national growth.
Bio-CNG Plant: A Model for Cooperative Societies Nationwide
The Minister highlighted that the Bio-CNG and Fertilizer Plant launched by Banas Dairy will serve as a model for cooperative societies across India.
He explained that not a single gram of cattle dung should go to waste, as it can be converted into:
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Bio-CNG
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Organic manure
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Electricity
By integrating such waste-to-wealth systems, cooperatives can significantly increase farmers’ earnings and strengthen the circular economy.
Circular Economy to Boost Farmer Income by Over 20%
Shri Amit Shah announced that India’s dairy sector will now move into a fully integrated circular economy, ensuring:
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Production of animal feed within cooperatives, with profits going directly to women members
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Introduction of high-value global dairy products, which fetch premium prices
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Expanded manufacturing capacity in cheese, protein, dairy whitener, baby food, and more
He expressed confidence that even without increasing milk production, dairy farmers’ income will rise by at least 20%, thanks to circular economy initiatives.
Water Conservation: Documenting a Silent Transformation
Shri Shah credited Prime Minister Modi’s water management initiatives—such as the Sujalam-Sufalam Scheme—for transforming drought-prone regions like Banaskantha.
He announced that two universities have been tasked with documenting:
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Water conservation efforts in Banaskantha and Mehsana
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The link between water availability and rural prosperity
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The socio-economic transformation achieved in the region
This documentation, he said, will become a gold standard in rural development research.
Tribute to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
On Mahaparinirvan Diwas, Shri Amit Shah paid tribute to Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, noting that India’s Constitution has empowered Dalits, tribals, backward classes, and the poor to live with dignity.
He also highlighted that the day marks the conclusion of a grand padyatra celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, whose vision of farmers’ cooperatives laid the foundation of Gujarat’s dairy success.
National-Level Cooperatives to Cover the Entire Agriculture & Dairy Value Chain
Shri Amit Shah announced that the Government of India has established six new national-level cooperatives:
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Three for seeds, organic products, and agri-exports
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Three multi-state cooperatives specifically for the dairy sector
These institutions will integrate every component of the dairy value chain—from milk processing and high-value dairy products to cold storage, flour mills, honey production, and more.
All profits from these activities, he affirmed, will flow directly into farmers’ accounts.
Strengthening Cooperative Infrastructure for the Future
The Minister highlighted several upcoming initiatives:
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Micro-ATMs in every village cooperative for improved financial access
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New financial services to be launched through cooperative networks
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Expansion of protein plants, automated paneer plants, and high-tech dairy units
He emphasised that Banas Dairy will act as the national hub for planning and implementing these innovations.
Conclusion
Shri Amit Shah affirmed that the cooperative-led transformation seen in Banaskantha will soon spread across India. With strong institutional support, water availability, technological innovation, and women-led participation, the dairy sector is poised for unprecedented growth.
He expressed confidence that White Revolution 2.0, guided by the Prime Minister’s vision, will usher in a new era of prosperity for millions of dairy farmers and reshape India’s cooperative ecosystem.
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Source: PIB
