Bengaluru: As the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which sells its dairy products under the well-known brand name “Amul,” prepares to expand into Karnataka, it has been receiving criticism from both the locals and opposition groups. The brand on April 5 tweeted that it will supply fresh milk and other products in Bengaluru.
In a Tweet, it wrote, “A new wave of freshness with milk and curd is coming to Bengaluru. More information coming soon”.
The backslash for Amul comes as the State has its local brand KMF which sells milk and curd in the State under the brand name of Nandini. After the Amul’s announcement, hastags like #Savenandini #GobackAmul started trending on Twitter. Some reports state that KMF is the second-largest milk procurer in the country. So, what does KMF stands for and let us know the history of it.
Under the brand name Nandini, the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), a dairy cooperative from Karnataka, sells goods such milk, curds, ghee, butter, ice cream, and sweets. It is a union of milk producers that is controlled by the Government of Karnataka’s Ministry of Cooperation. In almost every District of the State of Karnataka, there are cooperatives that produce milk. Farmers who are members of the organisation provide the milk, which is then processed and marketed under the Nandini brand. After Amul, it is India’s biggest milk market platform.
The first dairy cooperative that became part of KMF got its beginnings in Kudige, Kodagu District, in 1955. KMF was established in 1974 as the Karnataka Dairy Development Company (KDDC) to carry out a World Bank-funded dairy development project. The organisation was renamed KMF in 1984. With 1,500 members, KMF has 14 milk unions spread out over the statye of Karnataka that buy milk from Primary Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCS) and distribute it to customers in different urban and rural market places.
The Government and Opposition Leaders have made statements on this topic too.
“This is the third conspiracy to finish the Nandini brand. Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement to merge Amul and Nandini was the first ploy. Directions to use the word ‘Dahi’ on the curd packets of Nandini was the second one. These two attempts failed due to vehement opposition by Kannadadigas. Now, the Central Government has resorted to the third conspiracy through Amul,” alleged H. D. Kumaraswamy. He said that the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) never sold milk in Gujarat and respected the cooperative principles but Amul was doing another way round.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has accused the Opposition parties of “politicising” the issue. “Nandini is a national brand. Nandini brand is being sold in many States. The State Government has supported Nandini for its development. Nandini will become the number-one brand shortly. There is no need to fear Amul. Nandini is a well-established brand and all steps will be taken to overtake Amul in competition,” he said.
While citing a local news paper, Surjewala tweeted, “BJP conspiracy to sell off Karnataka Milk Federation to Gujarat’s Amul is now clear. 1st, Mr. Amit Shah said it openly. Now, Ms. Shobha Karandlje supports it. NANDINI LOSES, AMUL GAINS, BOMMAI GOVT REMAINS ‘MUTE’ ! Save NANDINI, Vote BJP out !”
However, in the middle of all these hustle, we need to just wait and watch what is the conclusion that the Government gives to end this controversy!