Ashok Chaudhary, Chairman of the Mehsana District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union (Dudhsagar Dairy), was on Tuesday elected unopposed as the new Chairman of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), the apex body that markets dairy products under the Amul brand. Gordhan Dhameliya, Chairman of the Rajkot District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union (Gopal Dairy), was elected as the new Vice Chairman.
The elections were held in Anand in the presence of the chairpersons of all 18 member unions. The leadership transition comes as the current two-and-a-half-year term of the previous office-bearers draws to a close this month.
Headquartered in Gujarat, GCMMF is the world’s largest farmer-owned dairy cooperative. As the apex organization of dairy cooperatives in the state, GCMMF, widely recognized through its top brand ‘Amul’. It aims to provide fair and remunerative returns to farmers while ensuring value-for-money dairy products for consumers.
The federation represents approximately 3.6 million dairy farmers and handles over 12 billion litres of milk annually. With a group turnover exceeding USD 11 billion (approximately Rs 90,000 crore), GCMMF plays a pivotal role in India’s dairy and food sector.
Amul, the top brand of GCMMF, is one of India’s most trusted household names, offering a wide range of milk and dairy products. In 2023–24, GCMMF reported an annual turnover of approximately Rs 60,000 crore (USD 7.3 billion). The federation procures around 35 million litres of milk daily through 18,600 village milk cooperative societies, operated by 18 member unions across 33 districts, representing 3.64 million milk producers in Gujarat.
This farmer-centric model has been central to Amul’s success, ensuring consistent supply, robust farmer incomes, and high-quality dairy products for consumers.
Chaudhary’s elevation to the top post is seen as a move to further reinforce Amul’s leadership in the dairy sector and uphold its mission of empowering rural dairy farmers across the state.
