Twenty-five years after the devastating earthquake of January 26, 2001, Kutch stands as a powerful example of resilience, cooperative strength and inclusive rural development. What began as large-scale rehabilitation has evolved into sustained economic growth, anchored strongly in the dairy and animal husbandry sector.
From recovery to long-term development
During his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi laid the foundation for Kutch’s revival, focusing on infrastructure, livelihoods and cooperative institutions. This momentum continues under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, with Sarhad Dairy emerging as a flagship symbol of this journey.
Sarhad Dairy and farmer empowerment
Established in 2009 under Modi’s guidance, Kutch District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd., popularly known as Sarhad Dairy, is today Kutch’s largest cooperative. It works with over 900 milk societies, procuring nearly 5.5 lakh litres of milk daily from around 80,000 farmers. The dairy processes up to 4 lakh litres per day and disburses nearly ₹3 crore daily to animal husbandry households.
In 2024–25, Sarhad Dairy achieved a record turnover of over ₹1,200 crore, marking a growth of 9.09 per cent over the previous year.
Camel milk: Kutch’s ‘white gold’
Sarhad Dairy has also pioneered camel milk processing in India. It operates the country’s first deodorised camel milk plant, functional since January 2019, and holds primary organic certification. Milk is collected through centres at Rapar, Nakhatrana, Gadhshisha and Kotda Athamana.
In 2024–25, daily camel milk procurement reached 4,754 litres, benefiting over 350 camel-rearing families with payments exceeding ₹8.7 crore. The dairy also produces India’s only camel milk Rajbhog-flavoured ice cream.
Recognition and cooperative vision
Sarhad Dairy’s work has been showcased at national and global platforms, including the International Dairy Federation conference in Kochi and the Gulf Food Expo in Dubai. It has also received multiple awards for agritech, sustainability and social development.
Aligned with the ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’ vision of Amit Shah, the dairy continues to strengthen rural banking, digital access and farmer dignity — turning post-disaster recovery into lasting prosperity.