Himachal Pradesh Government Inks Three Key Agreements with NDDB to Revitalize Dairy Industry
The Himachal Pradesh government, in a significant move to bolster the state's dairy sector, signed three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) on Monday. These agreements are designed to strengthen milk processing infrastructure and implement advanced digital systems across the state's dairy cooperatives.
Key Components of the MoUs: New Plants, Chilling Centers, and Digital Management
Under the newly signed agreements, the initiatives focus on three primary areas. First, the formation of the Kangra Milk Union will streamline operations in the region. Second, the establishment of new milk processing plants and chilling centers aims to enhance capacity and efficiency. Third, the implementation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software in the state dairy federation will ensure transparency and improved management practices.
Infrastructure Expansion Details:
- Two milk processing plants, each with a daily capacity of 20,000 liters, will be set up at Nahan in Sirmaur district and Nalagarh in Solan district.
- Two milk chilling centers of the same capacity will be established at Jalari in Hamirpur district and Jhalera in Una district.
Major Project: Dhagwar Automated Milk Processing Plant
A flagship project under these agreements is the automated milk processing plant being developed at Dhagwar in Kangra district. With an investment of Rs 250 crore, this plant is set to initially process 1.5 lakh liters of milk per day, with plans to potentially expand its capacity to 3 lakh liters in the future. This facility is expected to become operational by October, marking a significant milestone in the state's dairy development efforts.
Government's Focus on Rural Economy and Farmer Welfare
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu emphasized that the government is prioritizing the dairy sector to strengthen the rural economy and ensure better returns for farmers. He highlighted that Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in the country to offer the highest support price for milk procurement. Specifically, the support price for cow milk has been increased from Rs 32 to Rs 51 per liter, and for buffalo milk from Rs 47 to Rs 61 per liter.
Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar added that these projects will help expand the reach of the state's "Him" dairy brand and benefit farmers across multiple districts, including Kangra, Una, Hamirpur, and Chamba. The initiatives are expected to create a more robust and transparent dairy ecosystem, driving economic growth in rural areas.
Overall, these MoUs represent a comprehensive strategy by the Himachal Pradesh government to modernize the dairy sector, enhance infrastructure, and support local farmers through improved pricing and management systems.
