INDIA – In a significant development, Dr Meenesh C Shah, Chairman of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), has held a crucial meeting with Shri Rajesh Namdeorao Parjane Patil, Chairman of Maharashtra Rajya Sahakari Dudh Mahasangh Maryadit (Mahanand Dairy).
The meeting, attended by key dignitaries including Shri Haribhau Bagde, Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) and other board members, focused on discussions regarding the takeover of the powder plant at Varvand, Pune, and Mahanand by NDDB.
After thorough deliberations, the board members of Mahanand expressed their intent to approach the State Government, seeking NDDB’s management takeover of Mahanand.
Chairman, NDDB, assured the board members that formalities related to the takeover of the powder plant at Varvand, Pune, by Mother Dairy, will be completed promptly.
Furthermore, NDDB pledged to explore all possible avenues to support the revival of Mahanand in consultation with the State Government.
In a separate engagement, Ms Varsha Joshi, Additional Secretary (DAHD), along with officials from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, visited NDDB managed Varanasi Milk Union’s Dairy Cooperative Societies in Kakrahi and Dudhari villages.
During the visit, the Additional Secretary was briefed on the additional income generation activities, transparent testing, digital payment systems, and input services provided to farmer members. She also interacted with women members of these societies, gaining insights into their experiences.
Adding to the series of events, Dr. Meenesh C Shah graced the Foundation Day of VAMNICOM Pune as the Guest of Honour, alongside Hon’ble Dilip Walse Patil, Minister of Co-operation of Maharashtra, Dr. Suresh Gosavi, Vice-Chancellor, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Dr. Hema Yadav, Director, VAMNICOM, and Dr. Digambar Durgade, Chairman, PDCC Bank.
Dr. Shah commended VAMNICOM for its dedication to the cooperative cause, transforming the institute into a hub for management training, research, and consultancy for cooperatives and government departments in India and abroad.
He highlighted the Indian Dairy Sector’s remarkable journey from a milk deficit to an Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) nation, contributing over 5% to the national economy.
Dr. Shah also emphasized the success of Indian Dairy Cooperatives, ensuring that over 75% of the consumer rupee reaches the producers.
He also shared insights into the Ministry of Cooperation’s establishment of three new national-level cooperatives and highlighted NDDB’s innovative centralized and decentralized biogas and manure value chain model for utilizing dung for fuel and fertilizers, uplifting farmers’ lives with additional income.
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