India's cooperative sector is celebrating a significant achievement on the global stage as Amul (Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd) and IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited) have been ranked first and second, respectively, in the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) World Cooperative Monitor 2025. This recognition, unveiled at the ICA CM50 Conference in Doha, Qatar, marks a historic moment for India and highlights the country's rising influence in global cooperative economics.
The World Cooperative Monitor, produced by the ICA in partnership with the European Research Institute on Cooperative and Social Enterprises (EURICSE), assesses cooperatives based on their turnover relative to GDP per capita and their socioeconomic impact. The 2025 edition marks the 13th year of the WCM, offering a comprehensive analysis of the global cooperative sector and showcasing the contributions of cooperatives to building sustainable, inclusive, and resilient economies. The report features the top 300 cooperatives worldwide, recognizing their economic impact across diverse sectors such as agriculture, finance, healthcare, energy, and education. In 2023, these cooperatives generated a combined turnover of USD 2.79 trillion.
Amul, India's largest food product marketing organization, has an annual turnover of USD 7.3 billion (2023-24). Established in 1946, Amul operates through a network of 18,600 local dairy cooperatives, benefiting 3.6 million milk producers. IFFCO, founded in 1967 and headquartered in New Delhi, manufactures and markets fertilizers to over 50 million Indian farmers through 35,000 member cooperatives across five countries.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, congratulated Amul and IFFCO for their achievement, recognizing it as a testament to the potential of cooperatives for empowerment and self-reliance. He noted the tireless dedication of millions of women associated with Amul and the farmers contributing to IFFCO. Prime Minister Modi also congratulated Amul and IFFCO on their global recognition.
The recognition of Amul and IFFCO comes at the conclusion of the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) 2025. During the Second UN Social Summit 2025 in Doha, world leaders adopted a political declaration acknowledging the role of cooperatives in poverty eradication, social inclusion, employment creation, and social transformation. The IYC 2025 was officially closed in Doha with a resolution to observe the International Year of Cooperatives every ten years.
Amul's Managing Director, Jayen Mehta, stated that the ranking reflects Amul's consistent growth, innovation, and people-first approach in a competitive global market. He emphasized that Amul is a brand entirely owned and managed by farmers, with an impact that extends beyond economics to support multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, including poverty reduction, gender equality, and sustainable communities.
