1 hr ago
Congress Questions Dairy Cooperative Decline Before Amit Shah Visit
The Madhya Pradesh Congress says the state’s dairy cooperatives have become smaller.
It says both the number of cooperative societies and their members have fallen.
Congress leader Jitu Patwari wants the government to explain why this happened.
He also wants to know whether plans to collect more milk are working.
Amit Shah is visiting Bhopal for a large meeting with cattle rearers and dairy cooperative members.
During the visit, he is expected to give bonuses and other assistance to dairy-related groups.
He will also inaugurate a plant for fermented dairy products.
The government has listed several other ceremonies and exhibitions during his visit.
Congress says farmers need better milk prices and income, not only new dairy buildings.
Madhya Pradesh Congress questioned the decline in the state’s dairy cooperative network.
Jitu Patwari said societies fell from 7,811 in 2019-20 to 5,502 in 2024-25.
Dairy cooperative membership reportedly declined from 2.68 lakh to around 2.09 lakh.
Patwari sought details on milk procurement targets and progress under the 2025 NDDB agreement.
Amit Shah’s Bhopal visit includes a dairy farmers’ conference, bonuses, plant inauguration and project ceremonies.
- Who
- Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari questioned the state government ahead of Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah’s visit.
- What
- Congress sought explanations for the decline in dairy cooperatives and details about efforts to strengthen the Sanchi dairy system.
- Where
- The events are scheduled in Bhopal, including the BHEL Dussehra Ground and the Bhopal Cooperative Milk Union premises.
- When
- The questions were raised on Friday; Amit Shah was scheduled to arrive Friday night and attend programmes on Saturday.
- Why
- Congress is seeking accountability over declining cooperative participation, milk procurement plans, farmer payments and dairy producers’ incomes.
Congress concerns
Government programme
Measure of dairy development
Congress concerns
Jitu Patwari said development should be judged by higher farmer income, fair milk prices and timely payments rather than only by dairy infrastructure.
Government programme
The state government’s announced programme emphasizes infrastructure and institutional support, including a fermented dairy products plant and assistance for dairy-related groups.
Cooperative decline
Congress concerns
Congress cited a fall in dairy societies and membership and asked who was responsible and what the current situation was.
Government programme
The government statement outlined Amit Shah’s dairy-focused visit but did not provide a response to the figures cited by Congress.
Milk procurement expansion
Congress concerns
Congress questioned progress toward increasing daily milk procurement from 10.50 lakh kg to 20 lakh kg after the 2025 NDDB agreement.
Government programme
The announced target is to raise daily procurement to 20 lakh kg, although the article does not state the government’s reported progress toward that goal.
Key facts
- Dairy societies
- 7,811 in 2019-20, compared with 5,502 in 2024-25, according to Jitu Patwari.
- Membership
- Membership reportedly fell from 2.68 lakh to around 2.09 lakh.
- Milk procurement target
- The government is seeking to increase daily procurement from 10.50 lakh kg to 20 lakh kg.
- NDDB agreement
- Madhya Pradesh entered into an agreement with the National Dairy Development Board in 2025.
- Expected attendance
- More than 35,000 cattle rearers and dairy cooperative members are expected at the Gopalak Sammelan.
- Planned inauguration
- A fermented dairy products plant is scheduled to be inaugurated at the Bhopal Cooperative Milk Union premises.
- Other programmes
- The visit includes farmer bonuses, gaushala assistance, honours for Gopalak Didis and sanction letters under the Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Kamdhenu Yojana.
Quotes
Jitu Patwari
Madhya Pradesh Congress president
“The farmer needs a fair milk price, timely payment and a strong cooperative system. Building plants cannot be the measure of development unless the income of dairy farmers increases.”
thehansindia.com
“Who is responsible for this decline, and what is the present situation?”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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