Gandhinagar, Jan 20 (NationPress) The catastrophic earthquake on January 26, 2001, left Kutch in ruins, fostering widespread apprehension about the region's future. Yet, under the guidance of then Chief Minister and now Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kutch not only rebounded but transformed into a benchmark for development, self-sufficiency, and cooperative-driven growth.

Today, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the district's developmental journey has gained fresh impetus. A crucial element of this evolution within the cooperative sector is the Shri Kutch District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union, commonly referred to as Sarhad Dairy. Founded in 2009 by Valamji Humbal, Sarhad Dairy has evolved into Kutch’s foremost cooperative entity, significantly fortifying rural livelihoods and the dairy economy.

With over 900 cooperative milk societies, Sarhad Dairy aggregates approximately 5.5 lakh liters of milk daily from around 80,000 milk producers. The dairy processes nearly 4 lakh liters each day and operates a 300-tonne-capacity cattle feed facility, bolstering the entire livestock value chain.

Furthermore, Sarhad Dairy generates about 50,000 liters of ice cream daily, with peak production reaching 3.38 lakh liters per day. Dairy farmers collectively earn nearly Rs 3 crore daily for the milk they provide.

For the financial year 2024-25, the dairy achieved a remarkable turnover surpassing Rs 1,200 crore, marking an annual growth rate of 9.09 percent. It also supplies pure buffalo milk to Amul dairy plants across states like Haryana, Telangana, and Maharashtra.

Sarhad Dairy has positioned Kutch prominently on the national stage by launching India’s inaugural camel milk processing facility. Camel milk, often referred to as the white gold of the Rann, is abundant in essential minerals and is recognized for its health advantages, including immune-boosting properties.

The nation’s first camel milk deodorization plant has been operational at Sarhad Dairy since January 16, 2019. The dairy has also obtained primary organic certification for camel milk, following the Amul model via four collection centers - Rapar, Nakhatrana, Gadshisha, and Kotda Athamana.

In the 2024-25 period, the average daily procurement of camel milk reached 4,754 liters, with annual payments of Rs 8.72 crore disbursed to camel breeders, positively impacting more than 350 families in the district.

Sarhad Dairy is unique in India for producing Rajbhog-flavored ice cream made from camel milk.

The camel milk ice cream facility was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 22, 2024.

Within a year of its inception, the dairy introduced 80 varieties of ice cream. In the 2024–25 fiscal year, total ice cream output reached 24.52 lakh liters, with peak dispatches hitting 58,000 liters, showcasing the increasing market acceptance of this distinctive product.

Sarhad Dairy’s commitment to innovation has garnered it international acclaim. At the Indian Dairy Association (IDA) Conference in Gandhinagar in January 2022, the dairy presented its trailblazing initiatives.

Further global recognition was achieved at the International Dairy Federation (IDF) Regional Dairy Conference 2024 in Kochi, Kerala, where Sarhad Dairy’s contributions to camel milk processing throughout the Asia-Pacific region were highlighted in a dedicated session on camels and camel milk.

The dairy also gained visibility at the Gulf Food Expo 2025 in Dubai, the largest food exhibition in the world, where camel milk products showcased at the Amul stall attracted significant attention.

Over the years, Sarhad Dairy has been honored with numerous prestigious accolades, including the FOKIA Award 2014 for social development and infrastructure, the Rotary Club Vocational Excellence Award 2017 for contributions to the dairy sector, the FOKIA Award 2024 for excellence in agri-tech, and the Green Workplace Award 2025 by VNM TV for sustainable practices.

The cooperative’s expansion closely aligns with the national vision of ‘Sahkar Thi Samruddhi’, advocated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah.

Under this initiative, Sarhad Dairy facilitated the establishment of bank accounts for 900 milk societies and 31,067 livestock rearers with the Kutch District Central Cooperative Bank (KDCC Bank).

To enhance financial inclusion, farmers have been provided with RuPay cards, while 438 milk societies have been equipped with micro-ATMs, making banking services more accessible to rural communities.

From post-earthquake recovery to international recognition, Sarhad Dairy exemplifies how cooperative organizations can foster inclusive growth, innovation, and resilience - transforming Kutch into a beacon of rural prosperity.