Shamalbhai B Patel and Valamjibhai Humbal elected as chairman and vice chairman of GCMMF, Anand (AMUL Federation)

Shamalbhai B Patel, chairman, Sabarkantha Milk Union, has been unanimously elected as the chairman of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (AMUL Federation). His nomination was proposed by Ashokbhai Chaudhary, chairman, Mehsana milk union, and supported by Ramsinh Parmar, chairman, Kaira milk union. Also, Valamjibhai Humbal has been unanimously elected as the vice chairman, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (AMUL Federation). His nomination was proposed by Mansinhbhai Patel, chairman, Surat milk union, and supported by Vihabhai Sabhad, chairman, Surendranagar milk union.

The election was conducted by the deputy collector, Anand, in presence of 17 out of 18 members who are chairmen representing their district milk unions in the state. GCMMF has thus maintained its glorious tradition of unanimous elections of its chairmen since its inception in 1973.

GCMMF is one of India’s largest food products organizations with an annual sales turnover of Rs 46,481 crores during the last financial year. It markets a wide range of milk and milk products under the brand name Amul. Currently, the member unions of GCMMF procure an average of 264 lakh liters of milk every day from 36 lakh milk producers in 18,154 villages of the state.

Shamalbhai B Patel is the chairman of Sabarkantha District Cooperative Milk Producers Union, Sabar dairy, and associated with dairy cooperatives of Gujarat for the last 33 years. Sabar Union is one of the largest dairy unions in the state, with annual sales turnover exceeding Rs. 6,800 crores and farmer membership of 3.85 lac milk producers.

Valamjibhai Humbal is the chairman of the Kutch District Cooperative Milk Producers Union, Sarhad Dairy for the last 14 years. Kutch milk union's annual sales turnover exceeds Rs. 870 crores, and farmer membership of One lac milk producers.

Speaking on the occasion, the newly elected chairman GCMMF said, "It was a matter of great honor to lead an institution like the federation which was founded by V Kurien. He added that the dairy cooperatives of Gujarat have been successful for the last seven decades due to the high values and standards set by its founder leaders like Tribhuvandas Patel and Verghese Kurien. The combination of dynamic farmer leadership and professional management has made the federation the largest food organization in the country.

Vice chairman GCMMF mentioned that India has become the largest milk-producing country in the world due to the replication of the Amul model across the country. GCMMF will continue to work in close coordination with all to strengthen the cooperative movement and support milk producers of other states if such a need arises.