The partnership between Fiji’s FMF Foods Limited and India’s dairy giant Amul has been described as a “milestone moment” for Fiji–India trade relations and a boost for the country’s cooperative development agenda.
Speaking at the launch of Amul India Ghee in Suva yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Manoa Kamikamica congratulated both FMF Chairman Mr. Hari Punja and Amul for what he called “a visionary collaboration.”
“This partnership represents the best of both worlds — private sector leadership combined with the cooperative values that have empowered millions of people,” he said.
“It is a demonstration of how trade and cooperation can coexist to create shared prosperity.”
Kamikamica reflected on his visit to Amul’s Gujarat headquarters, describing it as “a globally successful model of inclusive enterprise.”
“Amul is a remarkable story — a cooperative owned by millions of small farmers who have built a billion-dollar brand through technology, transparency and trust.”
“It proves that good governance and collective purpose can achieve world-class success.”
The Amul brand is owned by the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which began in the 1940s with just two village societies. Today, it has over 3.6 million farmer-members and offers more than 1,000 dairy products.
Mr Kamikamica said Fiji’s own cooperative movement mirrors these principles.
“We now have over 725 active cooperatives — owned by farmers, fishers, women’s and youth groups — and we are modernising the sector through digital tools and better governance.”
He praised FMF for its confidence in Fiji’s economy and said the FMF-Amul collaboration aligns with the Government’s inclusive growth strategy.
“FMF remains a cornerstone of our industrial development, and this partnership reinforces the role of the private sector in driving national progress.”
