The Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which operates under the popular dairy brand Amul, plans to invest Rs 600 crore to set up an integrated dairy plant in Kolkata, West Bengal. The plant, to be located at Sankrail Food Park in Howrah, will be the world’s largest curd (dahi) manufacturing facility, with a daily capacity of 10 lakh kg. The facility will also have a total milk processing capacity of 15 lakh litres per day. According to GCMMF MD Jayen Mehta, there is significant demand for curd in Kolkata and its surrounding areas, and the new plant will cater to this growing demand.
The new plant will be set up in two phases with an investment of Rs 600 crore. This will strengthen the dairy cooperative movement in Bengal under the White Revolution 2.0 initiative of the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India. The plant will also help in generating more employment opportunities and contributing to the growth of the local economy.
GCMMF, which is the world’s largest farmer-owned dairy cooperative, with over 36 lakh farmers across 18,600 villages in Gujarat and its 18 member unions, has already made significant progress. Its turnover increased by 8% in the 2023-24 financial year to Rs 59,445 crore, and it is expected to register double-digit growth in revenue this fiscal on the back of strong demand.
The setting up of this new plant is a significant development for the dairy industry in West Bengal, which will help to meet the growing demand for curd and other dairy products in the region. It will also provide employment opportunities and contribute to the growth of the local economy.