In a strategic push to improve milk productivity and expand international presence, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), the apex body behind the Amul brand, is exploring collaboration with Israeli agri-tech companies known for their pioneering innovations in dairy farming.
During a recent official visit to Israel, GCMMF’s Managing Director, Jayen Mehta, held meetings with Israeli firms specialising in dairy technology, animal nutrition, and precision cattle management. The objective: to adapt cutting-edge solutions that can enhance per-animal milk yield — a long-standing challenge in the Indian dairy sector.
“We are looking at how Israel’s expertise in dairy technology, especially in dry and water-scarce regions, can support Indian dairy farmers,” Mehta stated, highlighting the relevance of Israeli innovations in Indian climatic conditions.
India, despite being the world’s largest milk producer, still lags in per-animal productivity. By tapping into Israeli dairy science — which boasts one of the highest milk yields per cow globally — Amul seeks to close that gap. This aligns with broader national ambitions to double farmers’ incomes, increase milk availability per capita, and reduce dependence on expanding herd sizes.
The collaboration holds particular promise for states with harsh climates, such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, and parts of Maharashtra, where traditional dairy models often struggle. With Israel’s success in deploying data-driven herd management, nutritional optimisation, and reproductive technologies, Amul hopes to integrate similar tools across its vast cooperative network.
Expanding Dairy Exports to Israel
Beyond productivity gains, the visit also opened avenues for strengthening trade. Amul, which already exports ghee to Israel, is now preparing to launch a broader range of dairy products in the Israeli market. GCMMF is in the process of obtaining kosher certification — a prerequisite for marketing dairy in the region — and sees potential among both local consumers and the Indian diaspora.
“We plan to soon start exporting multiple dairy products to Israel,” Mehta confirmed. “This includes products suited to Indian taste preferences as well as international formats.”
This move is part of Amul’s larger strategy to position itself as a global dairy player. With rising global interest in value-added dairy products and clean-label offerings, Amul’s expansion into kosher-certified markets marks a pivotal step in its export growth strategy.
Implications for Indian Dairy
If successfully implemented, Indo-Israeli cooperation could catalyse broader transformations across the Indian dairy industry. The adoption of high-tech practices, improved cattle productivity, and a more robust export pipeline may inspire other cooperatives and private players to pursue similar international collaborations.
Moreover, this partnership reinforces the evolving narrative of Indian dairy — from being a volume-centric, domestic-focused sector to a technology-enabled, globally competitive industry.
As the Indian dairy sector continues to modernise, collaborations like this could prove essential in addressing key challenges such as low yield, climate resilience, and global competitiveness — marking a new chapter for cooperative-led innovation in India’s rural economy.
