Himachal Pradesh to Set Up New Milk Processing Plants to Boost Dairy Sector and Empower Farmers.
Modern ERP system to ensure transparency; farmers to get real-time milk procurement details on mobile phones.
Shimla:
In a significant step toward transforming the dairy sector and uplifting rural livelihoods, the Himachal Pradesh Government has approved the establishment of new milk processing plants in Nahan, Nalagarh, Mohal, and Rohru. Alongside these, a milk chilling centre will be set up at Jalari (Hamirpur) and a bulk milk cooler at Jhalera (Una). These developments aim to modernize the state’s dairy infrastructure, increase milk collection capacity, and ensure better returns for farmers.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu emphasized the importance of dairy development for the state, noting that over 90% of Himachal Pradesh’s population lives in rural areas and is engaged in agriculture and livestock rearing. “The establishment of these plants will not only improve the quality of milk collection but will also ensure fair and transparent pricing for farmers,” he said.
To enhance operational efficiency, the Himachal Pradesh Milk Federation (Milkfed) is set to launch a comprehensive Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. This digital platform will revolutionize how farmers interact with the milk procurement system. Through mobile phones, farmers will be able to:
- Access real-time updates on milk collection
- Check payment status and procurement rates
- View quality test results
- Track transaction history digitally
The ERP system will also eliminate manual errors, reduce the scope for manipulation, and ensure timely payments directly to farmers’ bank accounts. The Chief Minister highlighted that thanks to these digital initiatives and infrastructure upgrades, milk procurement volumes and quality standards have already shown significant improvement.
Adding to this momentum, a state-of-the-art Milk Processing Plant is also under construction at Dhagwar in Kangra district. This facility will be equipped to produce a variety of dairy products including curd, lassi, butter, ghee, paneer, flavoured milk, khoya, and mozzarella cheese. It is expected to significantly benefit the dairy farming community by offering them fair and remunerative prices for their produce.
In a landmark move, Himachal Pradesh has also become the first state in India to introduce a Minimum Support Price (MSP) Scheme for milk procurement. Under the scheme:
- Cow milk is procured at Rs. 51 per litre
- Buffalo milk at Rs. 61 per litre
- A transport subsidy of Rs. 2 per litre is provided to those supplying milk to notified collection centres located more than 2 km away
“The State Government is committed to uplifting rural livelihoods through sustained investments in animal husbandry and dairy infrastructure,” Chief Minister Sukhu stated, reaffirming the government’s dedication to making Himachal a model state in dairy development.
These transformative initiatives are poised to bring long-term economic benefits to thousands of dairy farmers and contribute to the growth of a more resilient and tech-enabled rural economy.
