As the vibrant festival of Makar Sankranti draws near, Bihar's dairy sector is buzzing with activity, anticipating a significant jump in consumer demand. The Patna Dairy Project is at the forefront, ramping up production to ensure ample supply of festive essentials like milk, curd, tilkut, and paneer across key districts.
Preparing for the Festive Rush
With the festival just three days away, the project's facilities are operating at maximum capacity. The focus is on serving Patna, Vaishali, and Saran districts, where the demand traditionally soars. Officials have projected a robust 20% increase in overall sales compared to the previous year.
The enthusiasm for Makar Sankranti in Bihar has seen a notable rise in recent times. Beyond the sacred rituals of Ganga snan and worship, the preparation of the traditional dahi-chuda (curd and flattened rice) is a major culinary highlight. Furthermore, the trend of political feasts, where major parties host large community meals, has become a significant contributor to the heightened demand for dairy products.
Projected Sales Figures Point to a Record Festival
Rupesh Raj, the Managing Director of the Patna Dairy Project (Patna unit), shared detailed projections. Last year's sales set a high bar, with 8.5 lakh kg of curd sold, generating approximately Rs 7 crore in revenue. Milk sales stood at an impressive 33.5 lakh kg, bringing in around Rs 20 crore.
This year, the expectations are even higher. Curd sales are likely to reach 11 lakh kg, potentially earning Rs 9.5 crore. Milk sales are estimated to be between 35 to 36 lakh kg, which could yield revenue of about Rs 22 crore.
The festive specialty, tilkut, is also expected to see growth. From 16,000 kg sold last year, the target for this Makar Sankranti is 20,000 kg. Paneer, another festival favorite, is projected to see sales rise from 28,500 kg to 35,000 kg this season.
"Overall, the festival business could reach around Rs 40 crore," stated Raj, highlighting the economic scale of the festive operations.
A Decade of Growth and Meticulous Planning
Raj noted that sales of milk, curd, tilkut, and paneer have shown a steady upward trajectory over the past ten years, mirroring the festival's growing popularity. Preparations for the event are a well-choreographed affair, beginning as early as December 15.
"The work of tilkut production is now complete. Milk and curd production is proceeding at a war footing," he explained, emphasizing the intensive efforts underway.
Addressing the role of political feasts in the demand surge, Raj clarified the supply chain: "We do not supply milk or curd directly to anyone. All goods go through our distributors, who help us gauge demand and estimate sales patterns." This network of distributors is crucial for accurately forecasting and meeting the region's festive needs.
As Bihar gets ready to celebrate, the Patna Dairy Project's preparations underscore the deep connection between local traditions, culinary practices, and the state's thriving dairy industry.
