(This report is based on press release sent by Gujarat State Cooperative Union on the Golden Jubilee Celebration Function of IFFCO held in Vadodara where its Chairman Ghanshyambhai Amin participated)
An ace cooperator from Gujarat Ghanshyanbhai Amin quoting Gandhi said the fruits of the country’s indepndence is usless the weaker sections of society and farmers are not economically independent. He was recently speaking in a function held in Vadodara celebrating IFFCO’s 50th year of its existence.
A large number of leading cooperators including IFFCO MD Dr. U. S. Awasthi, Ramsinhbhai Patel chairman of Amul were present.
Taking a stroll down memory lane Amin said it was Shree Udaybhansinhjee Prince of Porbandar who took initiative in establishing a cost efficient plant for manufacture of fertilizer in close cooperation with 57 cooperatives on the discovery of gas field in Mehsana district, where Kalol is located and thus IFFCO, a cooperative was born. After 50 years of successful operation, IFFCO is a giant cooperative fertilizer plant in the world which is managed by farmers, Amin said.
Ghanshyambhai Amin added IFFCO has made a rapid stride and progress under the able leadership and
administration of present MD U S Awasthi, IFFCO has added one more feather to its cap by way of its contribution to cooperative movement in Gujarat in particular and the country in general.
IFFCO has posted a turnover of Rs 30,000 crore and its net profit has reached to Rs.1000 Crore. This has become possible due to vigorous efforts put in by U S Awasthi M.D and its Board of Directors, Amin noted.
Speaking on the occasion, IFFCO MD U.S Awasthi said since IFFCO started its operation from the holy land of Kalol it could reach such heights amid a thunderous applause from audience.
Remembering the contributions of first chairman Udaybhansinhjee and first M.D Paul Pothen for their role in establishing IFFCO as a name to reckon with in the world, U.S.Awasthi said those who forget their roots reach nowhere.
When it was decided that IFFCO would set up a plant people would dismiss it. They always thought a cooperative could at best run small village store or shop. We had issues convincing people to buy IFFCO shares. Awashthi said tracing the struggle early leaders faced in setting up the grand cooperative known as IFFCO.
