Dairy Cooling Boosts Melghat’s Rural Progress
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated a 2,000-litre bulk milk cooler at Dharni in Melghat (Amravati district) — a crucial step aimed at enhancing milk collection efficiency, reducing spoilage and driving socio-economic development in this tribal region.
Gadkari said the facility will provide fresh momentum to milk production, create rural employment, and improve income prospects for local farmers. He stressed that dairy development is essential for the socio-economic progress of Melghat, an area long marked by limited infrastructure and livelihood opportunities.
The bulk milk cooler — implemented as part of a broader National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) effort — is expected to streamline milk collection, prevent spoilage in remote pockets, and strengthen the dairy value chain for producers across the region.
Gadkari also outlined fodder management strategies, urging farmers to cultivate Napier grass and maize and prepare silage to ensure year-round green fodder availability — a key factor in sustaining herd productivity and profits.
Another major dairy intervention highlighted by Gadkari is a ₹550 crore dairy project in Nagpur, which will collect milk from Vidarbha and Marathwada for processing into value-added products such as paneer, cheese and ice cream — expanding market opportunities for regional milk supplies.
Gadkari called for improved veterinary support, scientific cowshed management, and advanced breeding techniques (including embryo transfer) to enhance productivity, with a target of achieving 1 lakh litres of milk production from Melghat.
The event also saw the launch of the ‘Shishu Sanjeevani’ programme in 50 villages, aimed at combating child malnutrition; plans are underway to expand it to 320 villages across the tribal belt, underlining the link between nutrition, livelihoods and dairy sector growth.
Source : Dairynews7x7 Mar 3rd 2026 Read full story here
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