Agro Dairy Powerhouse
Gandhinagar
North Gujarat is fast emerging as India’s agro-dairy powerhouse, with the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) in Mehsana on October 9-10 set to highlight major opportunities in agriculture, dairy, and food processing. The two-day event will feature seminars, networking sessions, and sector-focused discussions, showcasing the region’s strength in potato farming, spice production, and dairy value chains.
Aravalli has gained global recognition with its potato-based products, including fries and chips exported to 12 countries, and its organic spices such as fennel, methi, and turmeric. Banaskantha, the state’s largest potato-producing district with 18.7 million tonnes in 2024-25, also leads in isabgol exports and is home to Asia’s largest cooperative, Banas Dairy, which supports over 3 lakh farmers.
Mehsana, rich in history, has become a hub for agri-processing and dairy. The Unjha Market Yard dominates India’s spice trade, while Dudhsagar Dairy continues to expand across domestic markets. Sabarkantha too is rising as an agro-processing centre, driven by Sabarkantha Dairy’s strong milk output and NABARD’s projection of 5.8 million metric tons in storage demand, creating scope for investment in infrastructure.
The region, comprising Mehsana, Banaskantha, Sabarkantha, Aravalli, and Patan, is not only an economic engine but also a political pivot of Gujarat. Communities like Patidar, Thakor, Rabari, and Chaudhary hold sway in electoral outcomes, while the cooperative dairy movement with Amul, Banas, and Dudhsagar has transformed rural livelihoods.
