In a move that signals both continuity and a fresh chapter for India’s largest dairy cooperative, Ashok Chaudhary of Dudhsagar Dairy, Mehsana, has been elected unopposed as the new Chairman of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF)—the apex body behind the iconic Amul brand. The transition comes at a time when India’s dairy sector stands at the crossroads of technological transformation, export ambition, and farmer-centric reform.

Chaudhary succeeds Shamalbhai Patel, under whose stewardship GCMMF witnessed sustained growth and further consolidated its leadership in India’s fast-moving dairy segment. The federation—representing 18 member unions and 3.6 million dairy farmers across Gujarat—manages an annual milk pool exceeding 12 billion litres and commands a group turnover of over $11 billion (approximately Rs 90,000 crore).

Gordhan Dhameliya of Rajkot-based Gopal Dairy was unanimously elected as Vice-Chairman, replacing Valamji Humbal. The elections, held in the presence of the heads of all 18 member unions, underscore the federation’s tradition of consensus-driven leadership and cooperative governance.

For GCMMF, this leadership change is more than ceremonial. It comes at a time when India’s dairy landscape is being reshaped by rising input costs, consumer demand for value-added and clean-label products, and increasing interest in digital traceability, climate-resilient farming, and sustainable sourcing. As Chairman, Chaudhary inherits not only a legacy brand but also a complex mandate—to maintain Amul’s dominant market position while preparing the federation for its next phase of growth.

Chaudhary’s ascent also reaffirms the strategic role of regional dairies like Dudhsagar in shaping national dairy policy and commercial direction. With GCMMF being the world’s largest farmer-owned dairy federation, its leadership decisions ripple far beyond Gujarat—impacting everything from rural livelihoods to India’s food security strategy.

As Indian agriculture undergoes tectonic shifts in digitization, climate adaptation, and global trade integration, GCMMF’s next phase under Chaudhary could well serve as a bellwether for cooperative-led transformation across the food system. One thing is certain: all eyes will remain on Amul—not just for the taste of its butter, but for the direction of its billion-litre playbook.