The Dudhsagar Dairy (Mehsana District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union Limited) is a division of Amul which is under the ownership of Ministry of Cooperation of the Government of Gujarat. Dhudhsagar Dairy is one of India's leading cooperative dairy organizations and a member union of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), the Marketing Federation behind the Amul Brand. Headquartered in Mehsana, Gujarat, the dairy has played significant role in India's White Revolution and rural development through cooperative movement.
Dudhsagar Dairy, officially the Mehsana District Co-operative Milk Producers' Union Limited, is a cooperative dairy union based in Mehsana, Gujarat. Established in 1960, it serves more than 4.70 lakh milk producers through its cooperative network. In financial year 2025-2026, the union reported an annual turnover of approximately Rs.9,043 crore and average milk procurement of over 36.34 lakh liters per day.
Dudhsagar Dairy is the second largest dairy in Asia, processing on an average of milk each day. It has established a network for procuring milk from 500,000 milk producers through 1150 village milk cooperatives.
Today, Dudhsagar Dairy has a membership of over 520,000 dairy farmers. Its consolidated turnover in 2012–13 was more than Rs. 34 billion. The union procured of milk during 2012–13 at an average milk procurement of of milk per day during peak season.
The union is ISO 9001:2000, ISO 14000:2004, and ISO 22000:2005 certified and is an environment-friendly organization.
History
A cooperative movement, on the lines of Amul-model, initiated in Mehsana, organized the rural milk producers, encouraging them to pull together their resources. On 8 November 1960, Dudhsagar dairy was registered under Mumbai Co-operative societies act, 1925. Shri Mansinhbhai Pruthviraj Patel laid the foundation stone on 2 April 1963.
The cooperative dairy movement in Mehsana was inspired by the successful Amul model. The objective was to organize rural milk producers into cooperative societies, ensuring fair prices and sustainable livelihoods.
On 8 November 1960, Mehsana Milk Producers' Union was registered under the Mumbai Cooperative Act, 1925. The Foundation Stone of Dudhsagar Dairy was laid on 2nd April 1963 by Shri Mansinhbhai Pruthviraj Patel, whose vision transformed Mehsana into one of India's most Important Dairy regions.
Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. (GCMMF) is a body of Dairy Cooperatives in Gujarat. Thirteen dairy cooperatives work under GCMMF. Mehsana District Cooperative Milk Producer's Union Limited is also a part of GCMMF, and it contributes the highest amount of milk collection for GCMMF. GCMMF sells its milk brand under the name of Amul.
Plant
The plant is a postmodernist brutalist building designed by Achyut Kanvinde. Commissioned in 1970, it was completed in 1973.
Timeline Timeline:
Key Milestone
1960-1970: Foundation and Early Grouth
1960 – Mehsana Milk Association established with 11 Milk Societies collecting 3300 liters/day.
1961 – Milk supply started to Ahmedabad Municipal Dairy.
1963 – Foundation of Dudhsagar Dairy.
1965 – First powder plant and pasteurization plant inaugurated.
1966 – Mobile Animal Hospital introduced.
1967 – Visit by Indira Gandhi.
1968 – Milk transportation started to delhi.
1969 – Sagardaab Factory inaugurated.
1970 – Dairy expansion project inaugurated.
1971-1990: Expansion Era
1971 – MIT dairy facility inaugurated; capacity doubled.
1972 – Second powder plant established.
1973 – GCMMF formed; Dudhsagar became a key member union.
1975 – Cattle Breeding Centre established at Jagudan
1977 – Animal Insurance Program launched.
1978 – Milk pouch packaging introduced.
1979 – Processing capacity increased to 4.5 lakh litres/day.
1984 – Fourth powder plant inaugurated.
1985 – Savings scheme introduced for dairy leaders.
1991 - 2010: Modernization
1991 – Record milk procurement achieved.
1992 – Sagar Ghee pouches launched.
1993 – Sweetened Condensed Milk (SCM) plant established.
2000 – IOS and HACCP cecertifications received.
2001– Sagar Sfurti flavored milk launched.
2003– Mass cattle deworming program initiated.
2004– Dudhmansagar Dairy inaugurated.
2008-09– ISO certification extended to milk societies.
2011-2019: Infrastructure & Education
2011– Foundation of Dudhmotisagar Dairy at Dharuhera,Haryana.
2011– Establishment of MIDFT (Mansinhbhai Institure of Dairy & Food Technology).
2012– Launch of Amul Moti and Sagar Moti UHT milk.
2012– Fodder plant inaugurated by Shri Narendra Modi.
2013– DR.V. Kurien Academic Centre inaugurated.
2016– Fully automatic SCM plant commissioned.
2018– Highest milk procurement of 40.25 lakh litres/day.
2019– CSR Excellence Award received from TV9 Gujarat.
2020–2026: Technological Advancement
High-speed SCM packaging lines commissioned.
UHT Buffalo Milk and Amul Moti UHT launched.
New ghee packagine facilities established.
Automatic butter manufacturing plant commissioned.
Introduced A2 Milk to cater to evolving consumer preferences and health-conscious markets.
Natural Product Store "Sagar Fresh" launched.
Commissioned a Biogas Plant under the Gobardhan Yojana.
Expansion of ice cream and UHT milk facilities.
Embryo Transfer Technology introduced to improve cattle genetics.
Major Investments
Powder Plant
Tetra Pack Plant
66 KV Substation
Boiler Plant
Curd Plant
Paneer & Cheese Plant
Yogurt Plant
Ice Cream Plant
1 MV Solar Power Plant
Water Treatment Plant (WTP)
Education & Rural Development
MIDFT
Mansinhbhai Institure of Dairy and Technology (MIDFT) was established in 2011-12 develop the children of milk producers into future dairy technocrats and professionals.
MRCSSS
Shri Motibhai R. Chaudhary Sagar Sainik School (MRCSSS) was established in August 2022, and the e-foundation stone was laid on 4 July 2023.
The institution is associated with the Government of India's New Sainik School Initiative under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Cattle Development Programs
Artificial Insemination Services.
Embryo Transfer Technology
Women Empowerment
Dudhsagar Dairy has actively Promoted Women's participation in dairy cooperatives through:
Women Dairy Leadership Programs.
Sagar Darshan Initiatives.
Milk Plant Exposure Visits.
Products Dudhsagar Dairy makes various products, listed below:
Milk Amul Gold Amul Shakti Amul Buffalo Milk Amul Taaza Sagar Taaza Sagar Milk Amul Cow Milk Amul Slim & Trim Amul T-Special Amul Moti Sagar Moti Amul A2 Gir Cow Milk
Milk Products Amul Butter Amul Ghee Sagar Ghee Amul Cow Ghee Amul Mithai Mate Amul Dairy Whitener Amul Infant Milk Food Sagar Skimmed Milk Powder
Fermented Products Masti Dahi Amul Lite Dahi Amul Lassi Sagar Chhash Buttermilk Frozen Yogurt
Beverages Sagar Sfurti Amul Kool Kesar Amul Kool Rose Amul Kool Badam Amul Kool Elaichi
Desserts Ice Cream Kulfi Rabari Kheer
Significance
Dudhsagar Dairy is recognized as:
One of Asia's largest dairy cooperatives.
One of the highest milk-contributing member union of GCMMF.
A major contributor to india's dairy sector and rural economy.
A pioneer in cooperative dairy development , livestock improvement, women empowerment , and farmer welfare.
Today, Dudhsagar Dairy continues to strenghen the livelihoods of lakhs of milk producers while supplying high-quality dairy products across India under the Amul, Sagar , and Dudhsagar brands.
References
Dudhsagar Dairy to invest Rs 350 cr in new plant, Times of India Amul row: Mehsana Union hits back at GCMMF MD, Business Standard Mehsana milk body taking Amul model beyond Gujarat, The Hindu Massive protest by dairy farmers, Times of India Chaudhary gets HC breather for now, Times of India Probe corruption allegations at Mehsana Dairy: High court, Times of India Amul row: HC extends stay on no-trust motion, Times of India GCMMF board to meet on 5 December, Times of India GCMMF row in reaches SC; probe govt starts inquiry at at (sic) Mehsana dairy, Times of India Mehsana's Dudhsagar Dairy achieves Rs 4,254 crore turnover, Times of India
External links