In a significant push to modernize the dairy sector and strengthen the rural economy, the Himachal Pradesh Government has approved the establishment of new milk processing plants at Nahan, Nalagarh, Mohal, and Rohru. Additionally, a milk chilling centre will be set up at Jalari (Hamirpur) and a bulk milk cooler at Jhalera (Una). These developments aim to increase milk collection capacity, ensure better returns to farmers, and enhance the quality and efficiency of milk procurement.
Highlighting the importance of dairy farming in the state, CM Sukhu noted that over 90% of the state’s population lives in rural areas and depends on agriculture and allied activities. “The establishment of new plants will improve infrastructure, ensure transparency, and contribute significantly to the incomes of our farmers,” he said.
To improve operational efficiency and ensure real-time communication with milk suppliers, Milkfed will soon implement an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. This digital platform will allow farmers to access vital information through their mobile phones, including milk collection records, payment status, quality test results, and procurement rates. The ERP system is expected to reduce manual errors, eliminate manipulation, and promote timely payments directly into farmers’ bank accounts. Every litre supplied and every rupee paid will be digitally tracked and recorded.
The government’s efforts have already begun to show results. According to the Chief Minister, milk procurement through Milkfed has reached record levels, and the quality of milk collection has also seen marked improvements.
In addition to the new plants, a state-of-the-art Milk Processing Plant at Dhagwar (Kangra) is under construction. Once operational, it will produce a range of dairy products including curd, lassi, butter, ghee, paneer, khoya, flavoured milk, and mozzarella cheese. This facility is expected to ensure fair and remunerative prices for dairy farmers, thereby uplifting the entire dairy value chain.
Himachal Pradesh has also set a precedent by becoming the first state in India to introduce a Minimum Support Price (MSP) Scheme for milk procurement. Under the scheme, cow milk is procured at ₹51 per litre and buffalo milk at ₹61 per litre. To further support farmers in remote areas, a transport subsidy of ₹2 per litre is being provided to those delivering milk to notified collection centres located more than 2 kilometres away.
The Chief Minister reiterated the State Government’s commitment to improving rural livelihoods through continuous investment in animal husbandry and dairy infrastructure, ensuring that dairy farming becomes a sustainable and profitable venture for Himachal’s rural families.
