Amul parent GCMMF gets new leadership: The dairy behemoth's tasks ahead

India Today

6 days ago

The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), the powerhouse behind the globally renowned Amul brand, held its highly anticipated elections in Anand on July 22. The event marked a significant transition in the leadership of one of India's most influential cooperative institutions, with Ashok Chaudhary elected unopposed as chairman and Gordhan Dhameliya as vice-chairman, succeeding Shamal Patel and Valamji Humbal, respectively.Chaudhary, 55, hails from Chitrodipura village in Mehsana district's Visnagar taluka and is a prominent figure in the state's cooperative sector. He took over as chairman of Mehsana's Dudhsagar Dairy in 2021, after defeating a panel backed by former GCMMF chairman and a man of standing in the community Vipul Chaudhary.advertisementAshok Chaudhary's political roots go deep within the BJP, having served as general secretary of its Mehsana unit and president of the Mehsana municipality from 2005 to 2007. His ascent to GCMMF chairmanship reflects how political and cooperative clouts typically ally in Gujarat.Gordhan Dhameliya, the new vice-chairman, leads the Rajkot District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union (Gopal Dairy). The unanimous election underscores his standing among the 18 member unions, with his nomination proposed by outgoing vice-chairman Valamji Humbal and supported by Ahmedabad Milk Union chairman Mohan Bharwad.
Outgoing GCMMF chairman Shamal Patel and vice-chairman Valamji Humbal served two terms of two-and-a-half years each, starting in July 2020 and re-elected in January 2023. Patel, chairman of Sabarkantha's Sabar Dairy, led GCMMF during a period of robust growth, with the federation achieving a turnover of Rs 65,911 crore in FY 2024–25, up 11.2 per cent, and a brand turnover of Rs 90,000 crore.Before Patel, Ramsinh Parmar, a former Congress MLA who joined the BJP, served as chairman from 2018 to 2020. GCMMF elections occur every two-and-a-half years, as mandated by the Gujarat State Cooperative Act, ensuring regular leadership transitions. The process involves the chairpersons of the 18 member dairy unions, each with one vote, supplemented by additional votes based on their unions' annual turnover with the federation. Notably, GCMMF has maintained a tradition of unanimous elections since its inception in 1973, reflecting a consensus-driven approach, though of late, seen as wholly guided by political directive from the BJP.The GCMMF chairmanship is a position of immense influence, overseeing a cooperative representing 3.6 million dairy farmers across 18,154 villages, processing around 31 million litres of milk daily—often peaking at 50 million litres. The chairman shapes policies that impact milk pricing, farmer welfare, and Amul's global expansion, making it a role with both economic and socio-political weight.Leadership in the cooperative sector is deeply steeped in politics of the day. Earlier, the Congress tried to woo and field cooperative sector leaders in polls as they would have established their influence in their region. The cooperative leaders did not always agree to enter mainstream politics.In the last two decades, however, since the late Dr Verghese Kurien stepped down in 2006 as the last non-political chairman, the BJP's complete takeover of the cooperative bodies means every leader is not just aligned with the party but holds a position only on receiving a mandate from it.advertisementThe 2025 elections saw no contest, with nominations for Chaudhary and Dhameliya proposed and seconded by BJP-affiliated dairy union leaders, reflecting the party's grip. Bipin Patel, the BJP's cooperative cell convenor, reportedly played a key role in ensuring a smooth transition, underscoring the party's strategic oversight.The cooperative sector in Gujarat, with GCMMF as its flagship, is a microcosm of political influence. This political alignment has often led to concerns from within the community itself about the autonomy of the cooperative model envisioned by founders like Tribhuvandas Patel and Kurien.The BJP's dominance ensures that dairy union leaders, often party affiliates, align with state and national agendas. Union home and cooperation minister Amit Shah, a key architect of India's cooperative policy who himself rose the ranks of the BJP alongside a prominent role as chairman of Ahmedabad district cooperative bank, continues to wield significant influence.Meanwhile, Chaudhary and Dhameliya inherit a robust ecosystem, with GCMMF being India's largest food products organisation. The Amul model's success, rooted in farmer empowerment and professional management, has made India the world's top milk producer. Favourable factors include strong brand equity, a vast farmer network, and government support via the ministry of cooperation, established to bolster cooperatives nationwide.advertisementHowever, challenges loom. Global market competition, climate change impacting milk production, and the need to balance farmer payouts with consumer affordability pose hurdles.India's cooperative sector is central to its rural economy, with the ministry of cooperation aiming to replicate the Amul model nationwide. GCMMF is aggressively expanding across India—planning to invest Rs 11,500?crore over the next few years in greenfield and brownfield plants across six states—Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Haryana and Goa—with a focus on modern dairies, bulk milk coolers and product diversification. GCMMF currently exports to about 50 countries and has recently entered the US and European markets.Subscribe to India Today Magazine- EndsMust Watch