15 Dec 2025
Amul, India’s largest dairy cooperative, is exploring partnerships with Israeli companies to strengthen milk productivity through the adoption of advanced dairy technologies. Jayen Mehta, Managing Director of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), said the cooperative is in discussions with Israeli firms that are globally recognised for innovations in dairy science, farm automation and precision livestock management.
Mehta is part of a 60-member Indian business delegation led by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, currently visiting Israel to deepen bilateral trade and technology cooperation.
Leveraging Israeli expertise
Despite its small geographical size and limited natural resources, Israel is among the world’s most efficient milk producers on a per-animal basis. This performance is driven by cutting-edge research and application in animal nutrition, real-time cattle monitoring, herd health management, productivity-enhancing technologies and water-efficient farming systems suited to arid conditions.
“These are areas where India needs rapid transformation,” Mehta said, noting that while India is the world’s largest milk producer, the next phase of growth will depend on improving per-animal yields rather than expanding herd size. “Israel has done excellent work in feeding systems, animal management and dairy technology. Our focus is to improve the productivity of our cattle.”
Expanding Amul’s footprint in Israel
Amul currently exports ghee to Israel, largely serving the Indian diaspora. However, the cooperative sees scope to broaden its presence in the Israeli market with a wider range of dairy products.
“We plan to expand into multiple products that can appeal beyond the diaspora and enter the mainstream Israeli market,” Mehta said, outlining Amul’s strategy to strengthen its position as a global dairy brand by accessing high-value international markets.
Broader agri-tech cooperation
Mehta also highlighted the relevance of Israeli agricultural technologies for India’s dry and semi-arid regions, such as Gujarat and Rajasthan, where water-efficient and climate-resilient solutions are increasingly critical.
The visit forms part of ongoing efforts by India and Israel to enhance cooperation across agriculture, dairy technology, food security and trade. With Minister Piyush Goyal leading industry engagements, the discussions are aimed at forging long-term partnerships focused on innovation and sustainable growth.
Implications for Indian dairy
If the proposed collaborations take shape, Amul could integrate precision farming tools, smart feeding systems and advanced cattle health technologies into its operations. Such advancements could significantly improve productivity and farm incomes, while strengthening the global competitiveness of India’s dairy sector, which supports millions of rural livelihoods.