Amul launches AI assistant to boost dairy production in India

INDIA – Amul has introduced an artificial intelligence–based assistant, Sarlaben, to support dairy farmers across Gujarat.

However, rising costs, climate stress and animal health risks now challenge smallholder farmers. In response, cooperatives are exploring technology-led solutions to sustain productivity and farmer incomes.

Expected to benefit over 36 lakh milk producers in Gujarat, mainly women, the AI-assistant will offer personal guidance on cattle, feed, vaccinations and even government schemes and subsidies

Farmers can access guidance in local languages through digital platforms. As a result, they no longer rely only on physical extension visits.

This approach helps spread standardised best practices across villages. It also improves response time during health or feeding-related issues. Over time, such support can reduce avoidable losses and improve milk output.

Calling it a “path-breaking step” for the cooperative dairy sector and to empower women, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said: “Sarlaben project is not only the launching of a new technology but a milestone to make dairy independent, self-reliant and advanced…

“Women will benefit as many times when men do the accounting, they do not reveal the real figures of the money coming in. But now, women have Sarlaben– as the name suggests it is a saral (simple) helper and you can ask questions in any language and seek answers.”

The launch comes at a time when digital transformation is accelerating across agriculture and dairy value chains, with artificial intelligence, satellite mapping and predictive analytics increasingly viewed as essential tools to drive productivity, traceability, sustainability and climate resilience.

If scaled effectively, Sarlaben could serve as a model for other cooperatives and private sector players seeking to integrate precision advisory systems into everyday field operations.

By combining cooperative scale with artificial intelligence, Amul is positioning itself not merely as a dairy brand but as a digitally integrated agri-tech ecosystem shaping the future of India’s rural economy.

For Amul, the initiative supports long-term milk supply stability. Better-informed farmers tend to manage animals more efficiently.

This directly affects milk quality, yield consistency and procurement volumes. More importantly, the initiative expands the cooperative’s role.

Beyond price support and marketing, Amul now positions itself as a knowledge partner. This strengthens farmer trust and deepens cooperative engagement.

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