GCMMF to replicate Anand pattern in Africa

Having played a key role in the white revolution in India during the Operation Flood, the 'Anand pattern' has drawn the attention of several countries. Now a number of African countries have planned to adopt the model for developing dairy industry there.

Representatives of a number of African countries have approached the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd(GCMMF).

Verghese Kurien, chairman, GCMMF told Business Standard: "We have been approached by African countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Rwanda. We have invited them to visit our facilities at Anand before finalising their plans. We are ready to help out the interested countries to develop more 'Anands'. The 'Anand pattern' will help developing countries become self reliant in diary industry," added Kurien.

GCMMF has already shown its willingness to establish a milk powder plant in Sri Lanka.

The Anand pattern is essentially an economic organisational model to benefit small milk producers who join hands forming an integrated approach in order to handle their produce. The system enables them to obtain the efficiency and economy of a large-scale business.

The whole operation is professionally managed so that the individual producers have the freedom to decide their own policies. The Anand model co-operatives have progressively eliminated middlemen, bringing the producers in direct contact with the consumers.

Recently, a group of farmers from Rwanda visited Anand and witnessed the progress made by the dairy industry in India. Following the report submitted by the group, the Rwandan High Commissioner to India visited Anand to invite Kurien to study the viability of implementing the Anand pattern in Rwanda.

Last week, the High Commissioner of Mozambique has also approached the GCMMF to solicit its help to develop dairy industry in that country.

"We have been approached by various authorities to assist them but we want the blessings of the involved countries' governments first. The consent of governments will make the path easier for us. In case of Sri Lanka too, we are waiting for the governments to take a decision at the diplomatic level before we go ahead with our plan," Kurien said.