AMUL MD Jayen Mehta Awarded Honorary Doctorate By Amity University

Shri Jayen Mehta, Managing Director of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (AMUL) was conferred Doctor of Philosophy (D.Phil), Honoris Causa by Amity University, Patna at its convocation function held on 24th February 2024. He was awarded the degree for his profound and exemplary contributions in the field of dairy development, marketing and business strategy, exceptional vision, professionalism, and direction in pursuit of excellence; his strategic vision for the socio-economic development of 36 lac dairy farmers and providing tasty and healthy nourishment to 140 crores Indians.

After receiving the award, Shri Jayen Mehta thanked Amity University for the honor and dedicated the doctorate to the 36 lac dairy farmers and their families who continue to inspire him to work for their interest for the last 33 years.

Widely acclaimed and respected for his leadership and marketing prowess at India's largest FMCG organization, the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), the cooperative responsible for marketing of Amul products across India and the largest exporter of dairy products to over 50 countries. GCMMF is owned by 36 lac farmers who are affiliated under 18600 village dairy cooperative societies and 18 District cooperative milk producers' unions of Gujarat who operate 98 dairy plants and process 10 billion liters of milk annually, ranked 8th largest in the world.

GCMMF markets a wide range of 50+ dairy products through its network of 86 branch offices, 15000 distributors to 1 million plus retail outlets across the country. Amul brand sales turnover in 2022-23 was Rs 72,000 crores (US$ 9 billion). Amul was ranked as the Strongest Dairy Brand in the World and second Strongest food brand in the world by Brand Finance UK 2023.

Shri Jayen Mehta has dedicated over 33 years in the service of farmers at GCMMF. His steadfast attitude to lead from the front and seek opportunities in every challenge has allowed him to lead the organization in the capacity starting with the role of a brand manager in 1991 to Head of Marketing & International Business, Chief Operating Officer and currently as its Managing Director.

Under his leadership GCMMF pivoted from a dairy organization to becoming an FMCG brand with strategic forays into organic foods, innovative protein products and immunity building probiotics range among other initiatives like promoting a circular economy. The successful Amul model of cooperatives of India will also serve as a model for developing countries across the globe as demonstrated in the recent initiatives in Sri Lanka and Kenya spearheaded by him.

Shri Jayen Mehta has been named in the list of Influential Marketing Leaders of India 2021 Businessworld magazine and was also included in the 'Powerful Influencer 2020' list by India TV. He was honored with the Marketer of the Year - FMCG Food award by the India Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA). In 2021, Shri Jayen Mehta was awarded the Best CMO Award by Pitch and Exchange4Media. He was also included in the CMO Super 30 Honor Roll by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) in 2020. He has been listed in India TV's "Powerful Influencer 2020" list. In 2018, he received the Marketing Man of the Year Award from the Ahmedabad Management Association.