Anand: Following is highlight of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech at Mogar in Central Gujarat. The article will be further updated:

– Amul brand is well known in more than 40 countries. During foreign visits I would be asked to ensure Amul product supply. It was a matter of pride that after constant hard work of 7 decades, Amul has become an identity, an inspiration, a necessity. This achievement is not small. It is a great achievement. It is not just a manufacturing industry. It is not just milk processing activity. It is a model of alternate economy. On one hand, socialist economy, on the other hand capitalist economy. On one hand, economy of control by power, on the other hand economy of control by businessmen. Sardar Patel sow seed that has emerged as third economic alternative that is participated by all. It is model other than socialism and capitalism.

– A year before independence, Amul was formed, but cooperative movement was existing even before that. Sardar Patel became chief of Ahmedabad municipality and he had won election by just one vote. For the first time in Gujarat, the concept of urban development and urban planning was implemented under Sardar. And at that time, the first experiment of cooperative housing society was done by him. There was Pritamray Desai who was given the task by Sardar and first housing society was built under guidance of Sardar Patel by Pritamray Desai. Sardar inaugurated it on 18 January 1927 and named it Pritamnagar. Even today, Pritamnagar is there. Today Gujarat’s cooperatives have become a model for entire India. Following Amul, other dairies such as Dudhsagar dairy, Banas dairy came up in North Gujarat. If a visionary was not there, what could be the situation in drought-prone area of Gujarat. Even during scarcity, farmer, cattle rearer would make his earning and survive due to dairy cooperatives. Then there were people in power who curtailed the movement in Saurashtra/Kutch region. We came to serve and resumed it.

– Some people think they are very intelligent, intellectual, and when something which is out of bound for them their arrogance can’t tolerate that initiative. When we were organizing Rann Utsav, I had said that camel milk which has great nutrition value can be very helpful for development of children. Opponents had started making fun of my statement. Today, I am very happy that camel milk chocolate of Amul is in great demand. I was told camel milk price is double compared to cow milk. I am happy that Amul has fulfilled my dream. We need to lot in the area of nutrition. When I was Chief Minister of Gujarat, I had taken several initiatives.

– I am very happy that solar energy and cooperative movement are merged here. If farms can produce crops, farms can also generate power. I am very happy that 11 farmers are generating solar power in farms and sell surplus power to power company. I am told that they will have Rs 50,000 additional income through this. The Government of India pushed three movements – Jaldhan, Vandhan and Gobardhan. I remember that we had enthusiast cadre in Dakor – Umreth belt. He would plan to collect cattle dung and gobar gas generation. If groups of 11 villages come together, they can generate gobar gas. I appeal Amul and others to guide gobar dhan yojana.

– After two years, Amul will complete 75 years while in year 2022, India will complete 75 years of independence. Amul doesn’t stop, it is in nature of Amul, it is in nature of work culture, cooperative leaders here that they keep doing new things. I appeal Amul leaders that when 75 years of Amul and nation’s independence come, we fix some targets and give something new to India and the world. Today in entire world, we are on 10th rank in milk processing. If Amul determines that by 75 years of independence of nation, we jump from 10th rank to 3rd rank, it’s not difficult to achieve. There was a time when we were struggling with scarce situation. Today we have no issue of scarce, but surplus. Farmers produce in such a huge quantity that market crashes. The solution of surplus is value addition and processing. If we had not ventured into processing and value addition of milk, farmer could not sustain. Similarly in Agriculture products, value addition is very important. As Gujarat CM I had attended a function at Anand and I came into contact with a friend who was making powder of drumstick and making huge earning. Drumstick trees were there even before, but its nutrition value was not known. Our all agro products had this opportunity. If Tomato is processed and converted to sauce, it can be stored and sold for many months. We have to give push to value addition and processing. Under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sampada Yojana, we have worked in this direction. I had asked our friends in dairy. Amreli and Banas dairy walked in that direction. I had asked to start sweet revolution through production and marketing of honey. India has started witnessing increase in honey production and its export. Solar panel, honey production along with farming would increase the income of farmers. We want to encourage this in order to double the revenue of farmers.

– Take Home Ration, Bal Amul etc activities are in place here. If we set up central cooking plant and transport tiffins for mid-day meal using milk vehicles, the government has budget for that. Just management role will need to be played by dairy sector.

– Dharmaj village in this region had set up a cooperative society to offer home delivery of green grass for cattle. Revenue earned from this activity was spent for Gauchar development using modern methods.

– I assure, the government of India will work shoulder to shoulder in pushing these activities ahead.

 

 

DeshGujarat

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