Amul - Nandini - Milma A Cream of Controversy

Milk... One of the most essential daily needs in an Indian household. In demand from dawn till dusk, milk has its usage in the kitchen, and commercial food industry, and being used in temples has cultural and religious ramifications.

- Nipun Dutta

This essential commodity has had its fair share of controversies too. From ethical and Vegan issues raised by PETA to campaigning by NGOs regarding the environmental concerns and treatment of animals, milk has been swathed in dissensions.

Milk cooperative federations, run by the respective state governments have a stronghold over the collection, processing, distribution, and marketing of a particular area. Vijaya in Andhra Pradesh, Medha in Jharkhand, Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh, and of course, Amul, Nandini, and Milma in Gujarat, Karnataka, and Kerala respectively are in-house brands built by farmers. These brands dominate the regional markets and safeguard the interests of the local farmers and agriculturists.

As a lion knows its territory, the same can be said about milk brands in their respective states. It is an unspoken agreement that the milk giants will not encroach upon one another's domain. After all, good fences make good neighbours! At the most, milk and milk product supply to milk-deficit states is undertaken on demand, mostly in bulk, and the milk so supplied is sold under the brand of the particular state union. This practice does not encroach upon the brand or monopoly.