The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which oversees the renowned Amul brand, recently held its elections in Anand, marking a significant transition in leadership. Ashok Chaudhary was elected unopposed as chairman, while Gordhan Dhameliya was elected as vice-chairman. Chaudhary, a prominent figure in the state’s cooperative sector, has deep roots in the BJP and has served as general secretary of its Mehsana unit. His ascent to the chairmanship reflects the alliance between political and cooperative clout in Gujarat.
The outgoing chairman, Shamal Patel, and vice-chairman, Valamji Humbal, served two terms of two-and-a-half years each, during which the federation achieved a turnover of Rs 65,911 crore in FY 2024-25. The GCMMF elections occur every two-and-a-half years, and 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.
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 liters of milk daily. The chairman shapes policies that impact milk pricing, farmer welfare, and Amul’s global expansion. The leadership in the cooperative sector is deeply steeped in politics, with the BJP having complete control over the cooperative bodies.
The 2025 elections saw no contest, with nominations for Chaudhary and Dhameliya proposed and seconded by BJP-affiliated dairy union leaders. The party’s grip on the cooperative sector has led to concerns about the autonomy of the cooperative model envisioned by its founders. The BJP’s dominance ensures that dairy union leaders align with state and national agendas, with Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah wielding significant influence.
Chaudhary and Dhameliya inherit a robust ecosystem, with GCMMF being India’s largest food products organization. The Amul model’s success has made India the world’s top milk producer, with strong brand equity, a vast farmer network, and government support. However, challenges loom, including global market competition, climate change impacting milk production, and the need to balance farmer payouts with consumer affordability.
The 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. The cooperative sector is central to India’s rural economy, with the Ministry of Cooperation aiming to replicate the Amul model nationwide. As the new leadership takes over, they will need to navigate these challenges and opportunities to ensure the continued success of the GCMMF and the Amul brand.