Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called for 5 to 6 more Amul like cooperatives bodies to bring more and more changes in the rural India.

During the inaugural ceremony of Grameen Bharat Mahotsav, Modi remarked that milk production is currently providing the highest returns to farmers. He emphasised the need to establish 5-6 more cooperatives like Amul, with a nationwide reach,” a statement released by Prime Minister office said.

Started in 1946 with just two village dairy co-operative societies, Amul grew from strength-to-strength and today under this brand more than 16 million milk producers pour their milk on over 1.85 lakh dairy cooperative societies across the country. Their milk is processed in 222 District Co-operative Milk Unions and marketed by 28 State Marketing Federations.

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Modi highlighted the significant contribution of cooperatives in transforming the rural landscape. He remarked that India is on the path to prosperity through cooperation, and for this purpose, the Ministry of Cooperation was established in 2021. Around 70,000 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) are being computerized to ensure that farmers and villagers get better value for their products, thereby strengthening the rural economy,” he said.

Modi emphasised that apart from agriculture, various traditional arts and skills have been prevalent in our villages, such as blacksmithing, carpentry, and pottery. He remarked that these occupations have significantly contributed to the rural and local economy, but were previously neglected. He added that to enhance their skills and provide affordable assistance, the Vishwakarma Yojana is being implemented, giving lakhs of Vishwakarma artisans an opportunity to progress.

“When intentions are noble, the results are satisfying”, said Modi while adding that the country is now reaping the benefits of the hard work done over the past 10 years. Citing a recent large-scale survey that revealed several important facts, he noted that compared to 2011, consumption in rural India has nearly tripled, indicating that people are spending more on their preferred items.

“Previously, villagers had to spend more than 50 per cent of their income on food, but for the first time since independence, the expenditure on food in rural areas has fallen below 50 per cent. This means the people are now spending on other desires and needs, improving their quality of life,” he said.

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He said that since 2014, he has been constantly in the service of rural India. “Ensuring a dignified life for the people of rural India is the priority of my Government”, exclaimed the Prime Minister. He added that their vision was to ensure an empowered rural India, provide ample opportunities for villagers, reduce out migration and ensure ease of life of the people of villages. Therefore, he said, the Government had implemented a program in each and every village to ensure basic amenities.

“Today, Health facilities are being provided in more than 1.5 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs to the people”, said the Prime Minister. He added that Telemedicine, assisted by digital technologies, has ensured the option of best doctors and hospitals to the villages. Crores of people in the rural areas have benefited from the telemedicine through e-Sanjeevini, he further added. He remarked that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the world wondered how India‘s villages would cope. He added that however, the Government ensured that vaccines reached the last person in every village.