The application of artificial intelligence in India’s dairy sector took a significant step forward as Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel described Amul’s AI assistant ‘Sarlaben’ as a game-changer for dairy farmers. Speaking in the context of insights shared at the AI Impact Summit, the Chief Minister highlighted how data-driven tools are reshaping cooperative-led dairy ecosystems.
AI Meets Cooperative Dairy Farming
Developed by Amul, ‘Sarlaben’ is an AI-powered digital assistant designed to support farmers with real-time, personalised guidance on animal health, productivity and farm management. Drawing on decades of cooperative data, the system reportedly processes hundreds of crores of data points to deliver actionable insights directly to milk producers.
The platform is particularly significant in a sector dominated by smallholders, where timely access to veterinary advice, feeding schedules and productivity benchmarks can materially influence farm incomes.
Leadership Perspective on AI Adoption
At the summit, technology strategist Nandan Nilekani underscored the broader role of artificial intelligence in transforming grassroots sectors such as agriculture and dairy. His remarks emphasised that AI solutions must be inclusive, local-language enabled and embedded within trusted institutional frameworks, conditions well aligned with India’s cooperative dairy model.
The Gujarat Chief Minister echoed this view, noting that digital tools like ‘Sarlaben’ become most effective when they are accessible to farmers, particularly women, who form the backbone of dairy operations in the state.
Implications for Dairy Productivity and Governance
From a sectoral perspective, ‘Sarlaben’ signals a shift from reactive to predictive dairy management. AI-driven alerts on animal health, productivity trends and best practices can reduce losses, improve milk yields and enhance quality consistency. For cooperatives, such platforms also strengthen traceability, data governance and long-term planning.
As dairy margins face pressure from rising input costs and climate variability, technology-enabled efficiency gains are increasingly viewed as essential rather than optional.
A Scalable Model for India’s Dairy Economy
Amul’s AI initiative reflects a growing convergence of cooperative institutions, digital infrastructure and policy support. If scaled effectively, similar platforms could redefine extension services across India’s dairy landscape, reinforcing farmer resilience while supporting national goals of productivity growth and rural income enhancement.
