Animal husbandry and milk production activities are an integral part of the lives of people in the rural areas of the state. This is an area with potential for employment and women empowerment in the state. By expanding the dairy sector, the state government is moving towards making Himachal a prosperous state of the country by strengthening the rural economy. Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has announced to increase the purchase price of milk by Rs 6 with the aim of benefiting milk producers.
This decision will prove helpful in the direction of prosperity and prosperity of milk producers. To strengthen the economics of milk producers and bring transparency in milk production, Himachal Pradesh Milk Federation has installed 102 Automatic Milk Collection Units (AMCU) in the state this year. 455 automatic milk collection units are functional in the state. Apart from this, 106 bulk milk coolers have been installed so far under various projects in the state. To improve the quality of milk, 35 can meter coolers have been provided under the National Dairy Development Program at the society level.
The state government is opening doors for the progress of the villagers by promoting cooperation in the state. Co-operation is playing an important role in the development of dairy sector. Committees are being organized by the government at the village level. At present the number of these committees has increased to 1,107. Starting the White Revolution in the state, the state government has started the ambitious Him Ganga Scheme with a budgetary provision of Rs 500 crore. Under the scheme, committees have been formed in the first phase to make people aware. 201 new milk cooperative societies have been formed in Hamirpur and Kangra districts.
11 women societies have been formed in district Hamirpur and 8 women societies in district Kangra which indicates the efforts of the government towards women empowerment in the state. 4 societies have been reorganized in Hamirpur district. 4064 farmers have been connected through these milk cooperative societies. To ensure participation of women in the dairy sector, more and more women milk producer cooperative societies are being formed under this scheme.
In order to benefit the farmers associated with dairy farming, a state-of-the-art fully automatic milk processing plant will be set up at Dagwar in Kangra district at a cost of Rs 250 crore. In the first phase of this project, the plant will be constructed with an investment of Rs 180 crore. With the establishment of this plant, a variety of dairy products including curd, lassi, butter, ghee, paneer, flavored milk, khoya and mozzarella cheese will be produced. Along with paving the way for employment generation, the dairy sector is also proving helpful in solving problems like malnutrition.
Himachal Pradesh Milk Federation has diversified the activities of preparing register for the Women and Child Welfare Department. Fortified Panjiri, fortified bakery biscuits, fortified wheat vermicelli and whole milk powder are being provided by the Milk Federation. This initiative of the government is laying the foundation for a healthy and happy future for the children of the state. Under the able leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, the dairy sector is moving towards cooperative model, nutrition, livestock care, employment, self-employment and women empowerment.
