Ahmedabad, February 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the golden jubilee celebrations of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) in Ahmedabad, highlighted his government's focus on strengthening the rural economy and transforming the lives of farmers. He contrasted this approach with "piecemeal" efforts of previous governments.
Empowering Farmers, Modernizing Agriculture:
- Emphasizing holistic rural development, Modi stressed initiatives like making farmers "energy providers" and expanding animal husbandry and pisciculture.
- He recalled Mahatma Gandhi's vision of a strong rural India and highlighted efforts like Kisan Credit Cards for fish farmers and cattle rearers, modern climate-resistant seeds, and breed improvement programs.
- The creation of 60,000 Amrit Sarovars and initiatives to bring modern technology to small farmers were cited as examples of empowering rural communities.
Amul: A Symbol of Cooperative Strength:
- Lauding Amul's journey, Modi called it a symbol of India's cattle rearers' strength and the power of organization and cooperation.
- He credited women as the "real backbone" of India's dairy sector and highlighted programs like Mudra Yojana, with 70% beneficiaries being women, to empower them economically.
Milking Success: India's Dairy Boom:
- Modi proudly declared India as the world's largest milk producer, with milk production rising by 60% and per capita availability by 40% in the last decade.
- He contrasted India's 6% dairy sector growth with the global average of 2%, attributing this success to government schemes and farmer initiatives.
Building on Legacy, Looking Ahead:
- Celebrating Amul's 50 years, Modi likened it to a banyan tree symbolizing collaborative growth.
- He pledged continued government support for rural development and expressed confidence in building a developed India by empowering farmers and women.
