Amit Shah Lays Foundation Stone for World's Largest Curd Plant in West Bengal, Says It Will Boost Farmers' Prosperity

Union Home Minister Amit Shah laid the foundation for the Amul Bengal Dairy Project in Kolkata, aiming to process 10 lakh litres of milk daily and benefit around 1.2 lakh small producers. The project, part of Sahkar Se Samriddhi and White Revolution 2.0, strengthens eastern India's dairy value chain and broader cooperative framework.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the world's largest curd manufacturing plant under the Amul Bengal Dairy Project at the New Town Convention Centre in Kolkata. The project, aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of "Sahkar Se Samriddhi" and "White Revolution 2.0," is expected to strengthen the dairy cooperative sector in eastern India and provide significant economic benefits to milk producers in West Bengal.

The event was attended by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Gujarat Legislative Assembly Speaker Shankarbhai Chaudhary, senior ministers from the West Bengal government, Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agrawal, Amul Dairy Chairman Ashok Chaudhary, and several dignitaries from the cooperative sector.

Addressing the gathering, Amit Shah described the project as a landmark initiative for the state's dairy farmers and livestock rearers. He said the first phase of the facility would process 10 lakh litres of milk per day, directly benefiting nearly 1.20 lakh small milk producers across West Bengal.

He added that the project would strengthen the dairy value chain by improving milk procurement, processing and marketing, ensuring better returns for dairy farmers.

'Sonar Bangla' Vision Back on Track

Referring to the recent political developments in the state, Shah said the movement towards building a "Sonar Bangla"had regained momentum after the 2026 Assembly elections. He said the new government under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had begun implementing commitments aimed at creating a prosperous, educated, secure and culturally vibrant West Bengal.

He also praised Bengal's historical contributions to India's freedom movement, education, spirituality and culture, highlighting the legacy of personalities such as Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, Ramakrishna Paramahansa, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Khudiram Bose, Jagadish Chandra Bose and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.

Free Land for Amul to Spur Investments

Amit Shah said the state government's decision to provide 30 acres of land free of cost to the Amul Federation had paved the way for the establishment of the mega dairy project and would attract nearly 100 major investments in West Bengal.

According to Shah, the project is expected to benefit nearly 2.5 lakh livestock rearers by helping them secure better prices for their milk.

Dairy Infrastructure to Get Major Boost

The Union Minister announced that the Centre would establish a major animal breed improvement centre in West Bengal to improve dairy productivity. A Sex-Sorted Semen facility will also be set up to increase the number of high-yielding milch animals in the state.

He said these initiatives would strengthen the dairy ecosystem and enhance farmers' income through scientific livestock development.

Amul Model Benefits Farmers Directly

Highlighting the success of the cooperative model, Amit Shah said Amul has become the world's largest cooperative institution, with nearly 36 lakh women associated with it through dairy cooperatives.

He noted that Amul currently works with over 18,600 rural dairy cooperative societies across India and emphasized that when consumers spend ₹100 on an Amul product, around ₹87 goes directly to farmers and livestock rearers. "This is the true cooperative model, where the producer receives the maximum share of the value generated," he said.

Centre, State to Work Together for Farmers

Amit Shah also lauded the West Bengal government's swift response in coordinating with the Ministry of Cooperation. He said the Centre has launched over 70 schemes aimed at farmers' welfare, and expressed confidence that, with effective coordination between the Centre and the state government, the benefits of these schemes would reach farmers across West Bengal within the next six months.

The foundation of the Amul Bengal Dairy Project is being viewed as a major step toward strengthening eastern India's dairy infrastructure while advancing the cooperative movement and improving the livelihoods of milk producers in the region.