Kurien asks milk producers to unite against multi-nationals

ANAND: Verghese Kurien, known as the father of the 'white revolution' in India, today called upon the milk producers to stay united against the multi-national companies and "opportunists" who aim to destroy the cooperative institutes in the country.

Kurien was speaking after inaugurating the state-of-the- art Whey Powder Plant at Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producer's Union Ltd's (Amul) satellite dairy in Khatraj in Kheda district.

"All milk producers should come together and unite against the foreign multi-nationals as well as those opportunists within the country trying to destroy the cooperative institutes," Kurien said in his address at the event which also marked 65th foundation day of Amul dairy.

Kurien also praised the contribution by the founding member of Amul dairy, Tribhuvandas Patel and dairy expert M M Dalaya. He said without their support he would not have achieved what he has got today.

He praised the milk producers of the cooperative societies for preserving the tradition of coming up with new products and development of the cooperative sector.

The fully integrated Whey Powder plant is equipped with latest technology for clarification, separation, pasteurisation, membrane filtration and electro dialysis.

With an installed capacity of plant at 60 tonnes per day, it can handle one million litres of liquid whey (whey or milk plasma is the liquid remaining after milk has been curdled and strained) and has been set up with an investment of Rs 45 crore.