State-of-the-Art Facility: Shah launches Rs 210cr Animal Feed Plant

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, inaugurated a state-of-the-art animal feed plant with a production capacity of 800 metric tons per day at Sabarkantha Dairy in Gujarat.

The Rs 210 crore plant aims to meet the fodder needs of farmers in Sabarkantha and Aravalli districts while generating employment opportunities in the region.Speaking at the event, Shri Shah highlighted the remarkable growth of Sabarkantha Dairy, which has evolved from a humble beginning into a thriving institution supporting over 3.5 lakh families.

Shah praised the dairy for empowering women, fostering rural prosperity, and addressing nutritional needs. Citing the success of the cooperative dairy movement, Shri Shah attributed its achievements to the White Revolution initiated by Amul.

The minister underscored India’s progress in milk production, revealing that per capita milk availability increased from 40 kilograms in 1970 to 167 kilograms in 2023, placing India at the forefront globally.

He also lauded Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s initiatives, including the establishment of the National Cooperative Organic Limited (NCOL) and the National Cooperative Export Limited (NCEL), to support farmers engaged in natural farming by ensuring fair pricing and facilitating exports.

Promoting natural farming, Shri Shah called it a sustainable and health-beneficial practice that enriches soil and eliminates pesticide dependency. He stressed that despite a potentially lower yield in the initial year, farmers could expect significant profits in subsequent years. He envisioned natural farming as a key to unlocking a Rs 10 lakh crore global market, bringing prosperity to Indian farmers while improving societal health.

Additionally, the minister highlighted the success of Gujarat’s implementation of the Gobardhan Yojana, which utilizes livestock manure to enrich soil quality. He emphasized the importance of integrating natural farming training within dairy programs.

In other engagements, Shri Shah inaugurated the Fila Vista-2024 Stamp Exhibition in Gandhinagar and paid homage to the leaders of the Dandi March at the Dandi Kutir Museum. He also inaugurated the Shela Lake and Park in Sanand, demonstrating a commitment to cultural and environmental development.

This milestone reflects the government’s dedication to empowering farmers and strengthening India’s agricultural sector through innovation, cooperation, and sustainable practices.