GCMMF to replicate Anand model in J&K

Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) plans to replicate the 'Anand' pattern in Jammu and Kashmir.

The father of white revolution Varghese Kurien and senior GCMMF officials visited Srinagar earlier this month to finalise the matter with the J&K government.

As per the deal, the J&K government has already dissolved the local milk co-operative society and formed a new entity under the guidance of the GCMMF.

The new co-operative body has been named as 'The Jammu and Kashmir Milk Producers Co-operative Union Limited'. In September 2003, the chief minister of J&K Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and his team had visited Anand and expressed his desire to replicate the successful 'Anand' model in his state.

"The basic aim behind replicating 'Anand' pattern in J&K is for the economic upliftment of the villagers. Apart from tourism there is no other promising industry in J&K to provide income to the population of J&K. The state has milk production of about 30,00,000 liters per day and has a good breed of cattle. GCMMF agreed upon providing technical and financial support to the government of J&K to support in establishing 'Anand' pattern based project in the state," said R S Sodhi, chief general manager, GCMMF.

The 2900 crore co-operative giant will contribute five crore rupees in initial phase of the project to meet the establishment and operational costs.

Initially, GCMMF will start with milk processing and packaging at two establishments of the former co-operative body of the state "" at Cheshma Shahi and Satwari. GCMMF has revived both plants and inaugurated them in early December.

GCMMF is also willing to go ahead for production of the value added products such as butter and ghee in future once the project becomes viable.

"We have not set any target for the turnover as the project has more to do with economic upliftment of the villagers. However, we aim to disburse Rs 65 crore to the members from four to five years from now," said Sodhi.

The existing production facilities with total capacity of about 30 to 40 thousand litres per day will be enhanced shortly, added Sodhi.

GCMMF aims to start at least 200 co-operative unions in initial phase; 100 each in Jammu and Sri Nagar. The Anand model is an economic organisational pattern for small milk producers who join hands to benefit from an integrated approach in handling their produce. The cooperatives under this model eliminate middlemen; bring the producers in direct contact with consumers.