Chairman Message

I cordially welcome you all at the 50th Annual General Meeting and feel immense pleasure & pride to present, 2010-11 audited annual accounts and the progress report of different appreciable operations.

This year, the Rajkot District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union Ltd.(RDCMPULtd.) is celebrating its "Golden Jubilee" and we must think and plan to build a better organized and strong co-operative Dairy Industry, to provide number of services to the milk producers which will improve their socio-economic status and make available pure milk and milk products of commendable quality.

In 1956, the dairy was first established in Rajkot by the Animal Husbandry Department of the Gujarat State under a pilot project of UNICEF- a sister concern of the UNO. Subsequently the Rajkot District(Dist.) Maldhari Cooperative Union Ltd. was formed on 5.9.1961 with the objective to bring "socio-economic development" in Maldhari Community (Animal keepers). After paying a token rent of Rs.1/-, the management of the Rajkot Dairy was taken by the Rajkot Dist. Maldhari Cooperative Union under the leadership of Shri Devendrakumar R. Desai. From 1972 to 1981, the dairy was jointly managed by the Gopalak Sang & the Gujarat Dairy Development Corporation Ltd. (GDDC). The management of the Dairy was again handed over to GDDC from 1983 to 1988, on Live and License basis.

Finally on 2.11.1988, the Rajkot Dist. Coop. Milk Producers' Union Ltd. got the membership of the State Federation, that is the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Fed. Ltd.(GCMMF) & since then the dairy is being independently managed by the milk producers representatives. Dairy faced many teething problems but due to keen interest and effective guidance of past Chairmen, milk producers faith on cooperative dairying, suitable policy decisions, sincerity and efficiency of officers and employees helped to successfully complete the long journey of 50 years. I warmly congratulate, one and all, for this great achievement.

It is time, to think/rethink, the strengths and weaknesses of the past, present status of our Milk Union and plan future strategies. We should pledge to take our Milk Union to the highest peak of success which was nourished by the untiring efforts of predecessors.

The present situation of cow & buffalo rearing and milk production are little imbalanced because of continuous increase in price of arable land, rural youths moving to cities leaving family profession of agriculture and dairying causing entire dependency on farm labors, continuous increase in production cost of milk and ever increasing social customs. All these, are not only WARNING but a big challenge for us. On the other hand, purchasing power of consumers is increasing, importance is being given to pure nutritious food of international standards and a craze for "FAST Food".

All these factors, are influencing continuous increase in sale of branded liquid milk and milk products. In view of these confronting & contradictory situations, the milk producers are being advised to follow, the scientific ways and means in dairying, which may lead to decrease in the cost of milk production & expected increase in milk quantity & quality.

It becomes our responsibility to make reasonable payment to milk producers and supply quality milk to consumers. It is absolutely necessary to launch strong campaigns in the entire district to increase productivity of cows and buffaloes using all technical resources available. We must try to find out ways and means to occupy a respectable position in the business of Animal Husbandry which will help women, progressive farmers and migrating youths to join the business of dairy industry and take it to the expected development. Now I present a detailed report of operations of different departments of the union during 2010-2011.