The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), India’s largest food products marketing organization and home to the iconic Amul brand, has ushered in a new chapter with the unanimous election of Ashokbhai B. Chaudhary as Chairman and Gordhanbhai P. Dhameliya as Vice Chairman. The announcement, made on July 22, 2025, continues GCMMF’s longstanding tradition of consensus-based leadership and marks a significant transition at a time when the federation is riding strong on growth momentum and diversification.
Chaudhary, currently Chairman of Mehsana Milk Union, and Dhameliya, Chairman of Rajkot Milk Union, were unanimously elected by all 18 member unions. Their nominations were supported by key cooperative leaders such as Shamalbhai B. Patel (Sabarkantha Milk Union) and Valamjibhai R. Humbal (Kutch Milk Union), among others. The election was held in the presence of Anand district collector and the registrar of cooperatives, underlining the transparency and democratic roots of Amul’s cooperative structure.
Financial Muscle: FY 2024–25 Performance
Amul’s scale and strength were once again reflected in its FY25 results:
- GCMMF Turnover: Rs. 65,911 crore (~USD 7.7 billion), an 11.2% YoY growth.
- Milk Procurement: Over 12 billion litres procured from farmer members.
- Total Brand Turnover (via member unions): Rs. 90,000 crore (~USD 11 billion).
These figures place Amul among the top global dairy cooperatives, and perhaps more importantly, reinforce the effectiveness of India’s grassroots-led white revolution model — a cooperative success that continues to empower over 3.6 million dairy farmers across Gujarat.
Legacy of Visionary Leaders
Since its inception in 1973, GCMMF has been guided by stalwarts whose leadership defined not just Amul, but the very framework of India’s dairy industry. The cooperative’s foundations go even further back to 1946, when Verghese Kurien, hailed as the Father of the White Revolution, pioneered the Amul model that combined rural empowerment with professional excellence.
Subsequent chairmen have included:
- Tribhovandas Patel, Amul’s founding chairman, whose grassroots organizing laid the bedrock for the movement.
- Dr. Verghese Kurien, GCMMF’s first general manager and architect of the Operation Flood program.
- Shamalbhai B. Patel, a recent and influential chairman who oversaw critical capacity expansion and brand innovation in domestic and international markets.
These leaders steered Amul from a regional dairy brand to a global symbol of cooperative excellence, extending its footprint to over 50 countries and launching a host of new categories—from beverages and chocolates to frozen snacks and plant-based alternatives.
Expectations from the New Leadership
As Ashokbhai Chaudhary and Gordhanbhai Dhameliya take charge, industry observers note several critical focus areas:
- Value-Added Diversification: Strengthening Amul’s push into high-margin, non-milk segments like cheese, chocolates, ready-to-eat snacks, and plant-based foods.
- Digital & Tech Integration: Scaling tech-enabled procurement, traceability, and cold chain innovations across the supply chain.
- National & Global Expansion: Tapping into underpenetrated Indian states while accelerating exports to Southeast Asia, Africa, and Middle East.
- Farmer Empowerment: Enhancing income sustainability for milk producers via productivity programs, veterinary care, and direct benefit platforms.
- Sustainability & Net-Zero Goals: Driving climate-conscious operations and eco-friendly packaging innovations.
Both Chaudhary and Dhameliya have deep roots in the cooperative movement and a demonstrated commitment to farmer welfare and institutional integrity—values at the heart of Amul’s enduring success.
The Road Ahead
With over 75 years of legacy, Amul today is more than a dairy brand — it’s a movement. Under the stewardship of its new leaders, GCMMF is poised to deepen its consumer connect, innovate its product architecture, and reaffirm its promise to India’s farmers and families.
As Chairman Chaudhary noted after his election:
“Amul is not just a federation; it is a testimony to the power of cooperative unity. We will continue to grow with the same spirit of service, innovation, and inclusivity.”
The milk of India flows forward — stronger, smarter, and more inclusive than ever.
