Assembly Speaker Shankarbhai Chaudhary links Banas Dairy’s exponential growth to a national model of inclusive economic philosophy and integrated rural development.
Gujarat Assembly Speaker Shri Shankarbhai Chaudhary, addressing the ‘BharatKool Adhyay–2’ event under the theme “Banas ni Suvas” (The Essence of Banas), presented the cooperative movement as a national blueprint for holistic growth. Highlighting the success of Banas Dairy, the Speaker detailed how the institution has become a critical economic pillar for Gujarat, showcasing an inclusive economic model where contributions directly correlate to shared benefit. This vision transcends mere commerce, embedding the cooperative’s principles within the broader Bharatiya ethos of shared prosperity.
The rapid economic ascent of Banas Dairy serves as a key performance indicator for this model. Over the last decade, the cooperative’s turnover surged dramatically from ₹4,000 crore to an impressive ₹24,000 crore. This substantial growth in dairy economics was attributed to collective effort and a participatory, fair economic philosophy. The cooperative’s approach to pricing and infrastructure has fostered trust among producers, evidenced by the distribution of ₹2,100 crore in surplus funds this year alone after price adjustments, directly empowering livestock farmers.
Beyond financial performance, the address focused heavily on sustainable development and ecological restoration. Shri Chaudhary emphasized the inseparable link between economy and ecology, noting that sustainable growth in Banaskantha is built upon revitalizing the soil, water, and air. This commitment involves massive greening initiatives, like planting one crore trees annually to develop the region as the “lungs” of Gujarat and Rajasthan. Furthermore, the cooperative is actively promoting cow-based economic models by procuring cow dung for bio-CNG and organic fertilizer production, and processing cow urine for potash-rich compounds.
The success of the cooperative model is intrinsically linked to rural empowerment, particularly for women. The Speaker proudly noted that Banas has created thousands of ‘Lakhpati Didis’ (sister millionaires), with many progressing to become crorepatis, showcasing the robust strength of rural self-reliance and transformation inherent in the cooperative structure. Additionally, the district’s improved economy, boosted historically by the Narmada canal, is visible through indicators like the country’s highest purchases of motorcycles and tractors, demonstrating rising consumer confidence and economic strength.
A strong commitment to innovation and public welfare was also detailed. Banas Dairy’s technologists have developed affordable, high-quality, and easily digestible protein powder, along with indigenous probiotic bacteria specifically suited for the Indian gut system, choosing not to patent the latter to ensure wide public accessibility. Furthermore, through integrated honey farming, Banas has become India’s largest honey-producing region. These diverse ventures—from potato processing to cold-pressed oils—cement the dairy’s role as a multifaceted agribusiness powerhouse that extends its influence into eight states, guided by the principle of universal well-being.
Source: Up18 News, covering the ‘BharatKool Adhyay–2’ event.
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