The Government of Himachal Pradesh has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to establish a cutting-edge automated milk processing plant in Dhagwar, Kangra. This plant, with an initial capacity of 1.5 Lakh Litres Per Day (LLPD), expandable up to 3 LLPD, is set to revolutionize the dairy industry in the region.
Background of the MoU
The MoU comes as a strategic move to bolster the dairy industry in Himachal Pradesh and enhance its contribution to the state’s economy. With a significant investment of Rs 225 crore in the first phase, the project aims to generate various dairy products such as curd, lassi, butter, ghee, paneer, flavoured milk, khoya, and mozzarella cheese.
Details of the Automated Milk Processing Plant
The fully automatic facility will not only bring prosperity to dairy farming communities but also contribute significantly to the overall growth of the state. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu emphasized the importance of this flagship initiative, highlighting its role in strengthening the rural economy.
Benefits to the Dairy Farming Community
The plant plays a pivotal role in strengthening the rural economy by directly procuring milk from farmers in Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra, and Una districts. Transparency in milk procurement is stressed to ensure fair compensation for farmers.
Role in Strengthening the Rural Economy
In a concerted effort aligned with the government’s commitment to farmer welfare, an additional investment of Rs 43 crore has been allocated to fortify the milk procurement network. The aim is to purchase 2.74 LLPD to sustain the plant’s operations.
Government’s Commitment to Farmer Welfare
The initiative is part of a two-phase plan, with the second phase focusing on the production of milk powder, ice cream, and various types of cheese at the Dhagwar Plant. Sukhu affirmed the government’s dedication to the welfare of the dairy farming community, announcing a significant increase of Rs 6 per litre in the milk procurement rate, raised from Rs 32 to Rs 38.
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Government Schemes for Enhancing Farmers’ Income
The state government is actively working towards enhancing farmers’ income, with additional schemes in the pipeline. The chief minister underscored the crucial role of strengthening the rural economy in achieving self-reliance for Himachal Pradesh.
Conclusion
The MoU between the Government of Himachal Pradesh and NDDB marks a significant step towards modernizing the dairy industry in the state. The automated milk processing plant is not only a symbol of progress but also a testament to the government’s commitment to the welfare of dairy farmers and the overall growth of the state.
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FAQs
- How will the automated milk processing plant benefit dairy farmers?
- The plant will provide a reliable market for their milk, ensuring fair compensation and enhancing their income.
- What is the initial capacity of the plant, and is it expandable?
- The plant has an initial capacity of 1.5 Lakh Litres Per Day (LLPD), which can be expanded up to 3 LLPD.
- What dairy products will be generated at the plant?
- The plant will generate various dairy products such as curd, lassi, butter, ghee, paneer, flavoured milk, khoya, and mozzarella cheese.
- How will the government ensure transparency in milk procurement?
- The government has allocated additional funds to fortify the milk procurement network, ensuring fair and transparent transactions with farmers.
- What is the government’s plan for enhancing farmers’ income apart from increasing the milk procurement rate?
- The government is working on additional schemes to enhance farmers’ income, which will be rolled out in due course.
