Which city is known as the milk capital of India? The powerful story behind it

India is the world’s largest milk producer, and one city has long been closely associated with the country’s dairy success story – Anand in Gujarat.

Commonly known as the “Milk Capital of India,” Anand became nationally important because of its role in the cooperative dairy movement and the growth of the dairy brand Amul.

The title is linked not just to milk production but also to the city’s historical contribution to India’s dairy industry.

Why is Anand called the milk capital of India?

Anand is called the milk capital of India because it became the center of the cooperative dairy movement in Gujarat and the headquarters of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which markets products under the Amul brand.

The city played a major role during India’s White Revolution, a nationwide dairy development program that helped increase milk production across the country.

Before cooperative systems expanded, many dairy farmers had limited bargaining power and depended heavily on middlemen. The cooperative structure allowed farmers to collectively sell milk and receive more stable payments.

Over time, Anand became strongly identified with dairy production, milk cooperatives, and rural dairy development.

The role of Amul

Amul began as a dairy cooperative movement in Gujarat in 1946. The organization later grew into one of India’s largest dairy brands.

Its cooperative model connected village-level milk producers with large-scale distribution networks. Farmers from different parts of Gujarat became part of the system, supplying milk that was processed and marketed through the cooperative network.

The success of this structure later influenced similar dairy cooperative models in other parts of India.

Verghese Kurien and the White Revolution

Anand’s dairy history is also closely connected with Verghese Kurien, who helped expand India’s dairy cooperative movement.

He is widely known as the “Father of the White Revolution” because of his contribution to increasing milk production and strengthening cooperative dairy systems in India.

The White Revolution, launched through Operation Flood in 1970, helped improve milk availability and rural dairy infrastructure in several states.

Anand’s importance today

Today, Anand remains an important center for India’s dairy sector. The city is associated with dairy cooperatives, milk processing, and agricultural institutions connected to dairy research and development.

Its identity as the “Milk Capital of India” continues because of its long-standing role in shaping India’s modern dairy industry.
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