Amul: Cooperative Model Expansion in Odisha

What is the future of the Amul-style cooperative model in Odisha?

The recent inauguration of development projects in Odisha raises an important question: How will the Amul cooperative model influence rural economies in the state? The answer lies in the government’s commitment to establishing dairy cooperatives across villages, which is expected to create sustainable income opportunities for farmers and rural households, particularly women.

On March 7, 2026, Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for development projects worth more than Rs 3,770 crore in Odisha. These projects include initiatives from the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and the Odisha State Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation (OMFED), emphasizing the cooperative sector’s role in transforming rural economies.

Shah highlighted the success of Amul, which does business worth Rs 1.3 lakh crore, benefiting 3.6 million rural women in Gujarat. He stated, “Today in Gujarat, through 3.6 million rural women, Amul became a movement, and today Amul does business worth Rs 1.3 lakh crore. Its profit, down to every penny, goes to the women cattle herders of Gujarat.” This success story serves as a model for similar initiatives in Odisha.

The government plans to replicate this model by establishing dairy cooperatives, which Shah believes will empower local farmers and enhance their income. The initiative aims to create a sustainable economic framework that supports rural households, especially women, who play a crucial role in dairy farming.

In addition to dairy projects, Shah inaugurated a new sulphuric acid stream at the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) unit in Paradeep, further supporting agricultural development in the region. The cooperative sector has historically played a transformative role in strengthening rural and sectoral economies in India.

Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying George Kurian expressed the government’s willingness to support the transformation of Kerala’s MatsyaFed into a national-level cooperative institution similar to Amul. He stated, “If the Kerala government proposes a comprehensive development plan, the Centre would extend financial and technical support to scale up MatsyaFed into a nationwide cooperative framework on the lines of the dairy sector’s cooperative success story.”

As the government moves forward with these initiatives, 690 beneficiaries are expected to receive training in fisheries-related activities, and 400 women are anticipated to receive leadership and entrepreneurship training. These efforts aim to empower women and enhance their roles in the cooperative sector.

While the potential for growth in Odisha’s cooperative sector is significant, details remain unconfirmed regarding the timeline and specific implementation strategies for these initiatives. The success of these projects will depend on effective execution and the active participation of local communities.

Overall, the expansion of the Amul-style cooperative model in Odisha represents a critical step toward enhancing rural livelihoods and fostering economic development in the region.