Anand Milk Union Limited

The famous milk brand, AMUL’s full form is Anand Milk Union Limited, was formed in 1946, and is now a cooperative brand led by Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Limited. AMUL- Anand Milk Union Limited encouraged the White Revolution in India and thus, India became the largest producer of milk and milk products. The name Amul is the derivation of the Sanskrit word ‘Amulya’ meaning ‘Priceless’. The brand Amul not only provides quality material to its customers but also ensures a profitable return to the farmers. Besides Milk, Amul produces almost all other milk-products such as curd, ice creams, cheese etc. It had won numerous awards for its brilliant performance in the market and for gaining the strong trust of Indians. Dr Varghese Kurian is also famous as the ‘Father of White Revolution’ in India as his ‘billion-litre idea’ made India the largest producer of milk and milk products. He has always been a mentor of Amul and dreamt of making this brand-related to all milk producers.

History of AMUL- The Taste of India

Going back in history i.e. around 6 decades ago, the farmers of Kaira were very much disturbed because of their ill economic conditions. They had to suffer a lot in the off-season as their income mostly come from their seasonal crops. They do sell milk to middlemen and contractors but at a very low cost. Since milk cannot be stored for too long at room temperature, they had to sell it at any cost offered to them. It was not fair that the contractors buy the products at such cheap rates and sold them at very high profits. In 1945, the Bombay Government started the Bombay DJMIT Page 4 Milk Scheme and this problem was now more recognizable. However, the farmers were still not benefitted as they still have to depend upon the government and the Polsons Limited for supplying milk.

Due to high discontent, they went to Sardar Patel (he had once advocated for the farmers in 1942). He advised the farmers that they should sell their milk through their cooperative society with their pasteurisation plant. The farmers had to take a big decision as Sardar Patel warned them that they might have to indulge in some losses as they might not be able to sell milk for some time to get the grant of their cooperative society and pasteurization plant. They did accept the advice and Sardar Patel sent his deputy Mr Morarjibhai Desai to the district Kaira for helping the farmers. He proposed that every village might have their co-operative societies for producing milk and if the government denies their grant they should strike and refuse to sell milk. As he had expected, the government declined their request, therefore, the farmers were forced to follow a ‘milk strike’ lasting for almost 15 days. Not a single litre of milk was then transported to Bombay from Anand and after that, an Englishman with his deputy visited Anand and accepted the demands of farmers. In this way, the famous Anand Milk producer in the Kaira district was established.

Later in 1973, Kaira Union named their brand ’AMUL’ derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Amulya’ meaning ‘priceless’. Now, this brand has its printed all over the country in different forms of milk and milk products. The processing of dairy products from the buffalos milk for the first time globally was definitely a breakthrough for the Indian white revolution and Amul. It also started making baby products such as Amul infant milk powder. Dr. Verghese Kurien, the founder chairman of National dairy development board (1965 to 1998) was the architecture of India’s white revolution. Due to his efforts India emerged as the largest dairy manufacturer globally.

Thus, the lessons to learn from the success of Amul are that one should do their best efforts and stand for their rights without losing hope. 

Achievements of AMUL

Amul, i.e. the Taste of India is a special model that helped India to become the leading producer of milk globally. Some of the awards won by India’s leading milk dairy brand are as follows:

• World Dairy Innovation Award-2020- Finalists

• IMC Ramkrishna Bajaj National Quality award- -30th October 2020

• Making of Developed India IT awards 

• BML Munjal Award 2017

• Champions of Excellence Award 

• AMUL received ET Iconic Brand Award

• World dairy Innovation Awards-2014

Products of Amul

Amul-Anand Milk Union Limited not only delivers milk but also delivers varieties of healthy milk products even for infants. These products are as follows:

• Amul Milk

• Dahi

• Paneer

• Fresh Cream

• Chocolates

• Beverages

• Ghee

• Roti Softener

• Cheese

• Amul PRO

• Bakery products

• Panchamrit

• Amul sour cream

• Milk Powders

• Bread Spreads

Conclusion

Amul- Anand Milk Union Limited is one of the favourites and most trusted dairy brands standing strong for almost 5 decades. It started as a revolt of Indian farmers due to their poor economic condition. Their condition had caused them starvation off seasons. On the advice of Sardar Patel, they started the ‘milk strike’ lasting for 15days. The government finally accepted their demands causing a great benefit to those farmers. Thus, the story of Amul gives us a lesson that we must fight for our rights without losing hopes. The name Amul is the derivation of the Sanskrit word ‘Amulya’ meaning ‘Priceless’. Due to this brand, India became the leading producer of milk globally. Amul not only delivers milk but also delivers varieties of healthy milk products even for infants. The products of this brand include curd, ghee, cheese, ice-creams, chocolates, beverages and many others.