Dairy as a Pillar of Livelihood and Innovation: Amul MD's Tribute to Dr. Kurien's Legacy
Source: DairyNews.today
At the 11th Dr. Verghese Kurien Memorial Oration hosted by XLRI, Amul’s Managing Director, Jayen Mehta, paid homage to the transformative power of cooperative models in India's dairy sector.
Speaking at the event, Mehta highlighted, “If India could offer a gift to the world, it would be the cooperative working system — a gift Dr. Kurien gave us.” He emphasized how Dr. Kurien, widely celebrated as the architect of the Indian White Revolution, shaped the dairy industry into a formidable force that not only fuels the economy but serves as a lifeline for millions.
Mehta lauded India’s growth as the world's largest milk producer, sharing that the nation is on track to supply a third of the world’s milk. “Dairy isn’t just a business here; it’s a source of livelihood for rural India,” he asserted, underscoring the sector’s impact on rural employment. Mehta explained that Dr. Kurien’s vision went beyond Amul; he aspired for every state to foster its own dairy brand, similar to the IPL model, thus decentralizing and democratizing dairy production.
Reflecting on Amul’s international expansion, Mehta disclosed the recent success of their U.S. milk launch and announced Amul's forthcoming debut in the European market—a landmark achievement that signifies the brand’s global aspirations. He emphasized this expansion as a pivotal moment, not just for Amul, but for India’s dairy industry as a whole.
Nirmala Kurien, daughter of Dr. Verghese Kurien, also spoke at the event, affirming her father’s enduring legacy. “Life is a privilege, and to waste it would be a big mistake,” she remarked. She urged attendees to adopt her father’s vision, characterized by dreaming big, challenging injustices, and relentlessly pursuing the greater good. Her reflections underscored Dr. Kurien's foundational beliefs and their continued influence on generations.
Fr. S. George, S.J., Director of XLRI, spoke of Dr. Kurien’s deep commitment to societal transformation. Hailed as the Father of the White Revolution, Dr. Kurien’s work established India as the top global milk producer since 1997. “Thanks to his initiatives, India’s dairy industry now engages 70 million rural households, with women comprising 70% of this workforce,” Fr. George noted.
Highlighting Amul’s exponential growth, Mehta shared that the cooperative now collects over 31 million liters of milk daily from its 107 dairy plants across India. With a portfolio of more than 50 products and annual sales of 22 billion units, Amul has achieved a turnover of ₹80,000 crores, establishing itself as the world’s strongest dairy and food brand. This vast enterprise, owned by 3.6 million farmers, exemplifies the success of Dr. Kurien's cooperative model.
The event resonated as a powerful tribute to Dr. Kurien’s visionary legacy, which continues to inspire and drive India’s dairy sector toward global leadership and social empowerment.
Mehta lauded India’s growth as the world's largest milk producer, sharing that the nation is on track to supply a third of the world’s milk. “Dairy isn’t just a business here; it’s a source of livelihood for rural India,” he asserted, underscoring the sector’s impact on rural employment. Mehta explained that Dr. Kurien’s vision went beyond Amul; he aspired for every state to foster its own dairy brand, similar to the IPL model, thus decentralizing and democratizing dairy production.
Reflecting on Amul’s international expansion, Mehta disclosed the recent success of their U.S. milk launch and announced Amul's forthcoming debut in the European market—a landmark achievement that signifies the brand’s global aspirations. He emphasized this expansion as a pivotal moment, not just for Amul, but for India’s dairy industry as a whole.
Nirmala Kurien, daughter of Dr. Verghese Kurien, also spoke at the event, affirming her father’s enduring legacy. “Life is a privilege, and to waste it would be a big mistake,” she remarked. She urged attendees to adopt her father’s vision, characterized by dreaming big, challenging injustices, and relentlessly pursuing the greater good. Her reflections underscored Dr. Kurien's foundational beliefs and their continued influence on generations.
Fr. S. George, S.J., Director of XLRI, spoke of Dr. Kurien’s deep commitment to societal transformation. Hailed as the Father of the White Revolution, Dr. Kurien’s work established India as the top global milk producer since 1997. “Thanks to his initiatives, India’s dairy industry now engages 70 million rural households, with women comprising 70% of this workforce,” Fr. George noted.
Highlighting Amul’s exponential growth, Mehta shared that the cooperative now collects over 31 million liters of milk daily from its 107 dairy plants across India. With a portfolio of more than 50 products and annual sales of 22 billion units, Amul has achieved a turnover of ₹80,000 crores, establishing itself as the world’s strongest dairy and food brand. This vast enterprise, owned by 3.6 million farmers, exemplifies the success of Dr. Kurien's cooperative model.
The event resonated as a powerful tribute to Dr. Kurien’s visionary legacy, which continues to inspire and drive India’s dairy sector toward global leadership and social empowerment.
