» Boost to Gujarat–Rajasthan collaboration in dairy and animal husbandry: MoUs worth rupees 150 crore signed at Ahmedabad Meet
AHMEDABAD, GUJARAT | 30th APRIL 2026 | In a significant step towards positioning Rajasthan as a leading hub for agricultural innovation, agritech investment, and global partnerships, the Ahmedabad Investor Meet was successfully held under the ‘Global Rajasthan Agritech Meet (GRAM)–2026’. The event was organised by the Department of Agriculture, Government of Rajasthan, in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Rajasthan Foundation. It witnessed active participation from key stakeholders across agriculture, agritech, animal husbandry, dairy, industry, and investment sectors.
The Investor Meet was graced by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma and the Hon’ble Minister for Education, Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of Gujarat, Dr. Pradyuman Vaja. Other distinguished dignitaries present included Hon’ble Minister for Animal Husbandry and Dairy, Rajasthan, Shri Joraram, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Cooperation, Rajasthan, Shri Gautam Kumar, Chairman, Rajasthan Kisan Aayog, Shri C. R. Chaudhary, Principal Secretary, Agriculture & Horticulture, Smt. Manju Rajpal, Principal Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Shri Vikas Sitaram Bhale, Commissioner, Rajasthan Foundation, Smt. Manisha Arora; Managing Director, Rajasthan Cooperative Dairy Federation, Smt. Shruti Bhardwaj, President, Rajasthan Foundation Ahmedabad Chapter, Shri Mahendra Lodha, and Managing Director, Amul, Shri Jayen Mehta, among other eminent dignitaries.
A key highlight of the programme was a panel discussion on “Opportunities and Investment Potential in Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Dairy”, where senior government officials and industry experts deliberated on emerging opportunities, policy support, and the evolving investment landscape in Rajasthan.
On this occasion, Shri Mahendra Lodha and Shri Jayen Mehta, along with other distinguished speakers, emphasised the immense scope for collaboration and investment in Rajasthan across these sectors.
The event also featured the screening of the ‘GRAM 2026’ film, effectively showcasing the vast opportunities in Rajasthan’s agriculture and agritech ecosystem.
Addressing the gathering, Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Bhajanlal Sharma said: “Dairy and animal husbandry in Gujarat and Rajasthan are not just economic activities, but powerful instruments of social empowerment for millions of families. Our effort is to strengthen these sectors through cooperative models, modern technology, and enhanced market access to ensure sustained income growth for farmers and livestock rearers. I am pleased to share that MoUs worth ₹150 crore have been signed during the Ahmedabad Investor Meet, reflecting growing investor confidence and the immense potential of this sector.”
Hon’ble Minister for Education, Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of Gujarat, Dr. Pradyuman Vaja, stated: “The growing collaboration between Gujarat and Rajasthan in dairy and animal husbandry is not only a sign of economic progress but also a strong platform for the exchange of knowledge, skills, and innovation. Our focus is to connect youth and farmers to this transformation through education, technology, and skill development, thereby strengthening inclusive and sustainable growth.”
Hon’ble Minister for Animal Husbandry and Dairy, Rajasthan, Shri Joraram, said: “The dairy sector in Rajasthan and Gujarat goes beyond milk production, it is a cornerstone of rural livelihoods, employment, and value addition. Our endeavour is to integrate the strengths of both states, leveraging cooperative models, technology, and improved processing and market linkages to transform dairy into a sustainable, high-value industry.”
Highlighting the importance of collective farming, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Cooperation, Rajasthan, Shri Gautam Kumar, said: “Collective farming is not merely about pooling resources; it is about uniting the strength of small farmers and enabling them to access better productivity, markets, and income opportunities. Our effort is to promote this model at scale, empowering farmers through access to technology, finance, and direct market linkages.”
Speaking during the discussion session, Principal Secretary, Agriculture & Horticulture, Smt. Manju Rajpal, said: “Our effort is to empower farmers to evolve from food providers to energy contributors, making agriculture not just a source of production but of income, innovation, and energy. By integrating modern technology, solar energy, and agritech, we are building a self-reliant agricultural ecosystem where farmers play a vital role in both food and energy security.”
Principal Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Shri Vikas Sitaram Bhale, stated: “Agriculture, animal husbandry, and dairy are no longer traditional sectors; they are emerging as strong pillars of investment. With the right policy support, technology integration, and value chain development, these sectors offer stable, long-term opportunities while accelerating rural economic growth.”
Managing Director, Rajasthan Cooperative Dairy Federation, Smt. Shruti Bhardwaj, added: “Today, agriculture, animal husbandry, and dairy must be viewed not just as traditional practices but as high-growth, scalable business sectors. Innovation, value addition, and supply chain modernisation are unlocking immense opportunities for investors.”
The event also witnessed addresses by various ministers and dignitaries highlighting ongoing developments and investment opportunities in cooperation, animal husbandry, dairy, and agriculture sectors. The formal inauguration of the Rajasthan Foundation Ahmedabad Chapter and the exchange of MoUs were key milestones expected to accelerate investment momentum in the state.
The programme concluded with an interactive session led by Principal Secretary, Agriculture & Horticulture, Smt. Manju Rajpal, where investors, industrialists, and Rajasthan Foundation members engaged in discussions on potential investments, partnerships, and collaborative opportunities.
The Ahmedabad Roadshow marks a significant milestone in the ‘Global Rajasthan Agritech Meet (GRAM)–2026’ series, reinforcing Rajasthan’s emergence as a promising hub for agriculture and agritech investments. Similar successful investor meets have already been held in Jaipur, New Delhi, and Bengaluru, with more planned across major cities in the country.
The flagship ‘Global Rajasthan Agritech Meet (GRAM)–2026’ is scheduled to be held in Jaipur from May 23 to 25, 2026, and is expected to witness participation from leading investors, industry representatives, and policymakers from across India and abroad. This initiative represents a strategic step towards establishing Rajasthan as a global hub for agritech and agricultural investments.
