NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for multiple projects at Banas Dairy Sankul in Diyodar in Gujarat's Banaskantha district.
Speaking at the occasion, PM Modi said that the development initiatives at Banas Dairy will empower farmers and boost the rural economy. "We can experience here how cooperative movement can give strength to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign," he stated.
"Today, India is the world's largest producer of milk. When the livelihood of crores of farmers depend on milk, India produces milk worth Rs 8.5 lakh crore annually, something that many people, including big economists, do not pay attention to," the prime minister said while addressing a gathering at Diyodar in the Banaskantha district after inaugurating a new dairy complex and a potato processing plant of the Banas Dairy.
"Decentralised economy system of villages is an example of this. As against this, even the turnover of wheat and rice is not equal to Rs 8.5 lakh crore. And small farmers are the biggest beneficiaries of the dairy sector," he said.
PM Modi expressed his pride in the dairy stating that it is a hub for empowering local communities. "The development initiatives at Banas Dairy will empower farmers and boost the rural economy. We can experience here how cooperative movement can give strength to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign," said PM Modi.
"The level of development in Gujarat makes every Gujarati proud. I visited Vidya Samiksha Kendra yesterday; the use of technology there is impressive. I urge education depts from other states to visit this centre," PM added.
Taking to Twitter, he shared glimpses of his visit to Dairy in 2016.
"I am delighted to be visiting Banas Dairy yet again. I last visited the Dairy in 2016. At that time a series of products of the Dairy was launched. I also visited the Dairy in 2013. Here are glimpses from both programmes," PM Modi tweeted.
PM Modi added that he is particularly proud of Dairy's innovative zeal which is seen in their various products. Their continued focus on honey is also laudatory, he further added.
"I would like to applaud the people of Banaskantha for their hard work and spirit of resilience. The manner in which this district has made a mark in agriculture is commendable. Farmers embraced new technologies, focused on water conservation and the results are for all to see," he added in tweet.
Prime Minister Modi also dedicated to the nation the Banas Community Radio Station and the expanded facilities for the production of cheese products and whey powder at Palanpur, and organic manure and biogas plant established at Dama.
(With inputs from agencies)
