The Hindu Business Line : NDDB takes over sick dairy co-ops in Gujarat

NATIONAL Dairy Development Board (NDDB) has taken over a number of defunct dairy cooperatives in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, a move seen by the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, better known by its brand Amul, as a challenge.

NDDB claims it has taken over the sick dairies on the request of the Gujarat Government. But the move is being seen as another chapter in the ongoing war between NDDB chief Ms Amrita Patel and her former mentor, India's `milkman', Dr V. Kurien.

NDDB, which owns the Mother Dairy brand in Delhi, is sourcing about 20,000 litres of milk per day from dairies around Junagarh and sending it to the National Capital, Board sources told Business Line.

The Board is short-listing dairy co-operatives and reviving them under its `Milk Producers Union' scheme, which works on the co-operative principle. But GCMMF finds it odd that NDDB should choose Gujarat over all other places in India to launch its new scheme.

NDDB is also working on a "new marketing strategy" that could involve entering the Gujarat market with its own brands. GCMMF at present sells milk under the Amul brand and the two entities are battling with each other over the Mother Dairy brand.

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