Himachal’s Dairy Revolution: ₹5.96 Crore profit
The Himachal Pradesh Milk Federation has ushered in a new era for the state’s dairy industry, earning a commendable profit of ₹5.96 crore in the financial year 2023-24. Operating across 11 districts, the Federation has adopted the successful Anand model of Gujarat to enhance milk collection, creating opportunities for farmers and strengthening the dairy ecosystem.
Expanding Dairy Processing Capacity
A major milestone was achieved recently with the inauguration of a state-of-the-art milk processing plant in Dattnagar, Shimla, by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. This facility, with a daily capacity of 50,000 liters, adds to the existing 20,000-liter plant and a 5-metric-ton powder unit already in operation since 2012. Together, these facilities now process 70,000 liters of milk daily, producing high-quality milk, ghee, butter, paneer, lassi, and flavored milk for the market.
Rising Milk Collection and Farmer Participation
The Federation has seen a remarkable rise in daily milk collection, which has grown from 25,000 liters in 2012 to 1,00,000 liters today, with a substantial 95% sourced from Kullu district. Efforts have been made to reach remote areas like Chango in Kinnaur, ensuring that even the most distant farmers benefit from this initiative.
Organized Operations Across Districts
To streamline activities, the state has been divided into three operational units—Kangra, Mandi, and Shimla—covering all major districts except Lahaul-Spiti. The Federation actively supports 11 milk processing plants with a combined capacity of 1,30,000 liters per day, helping the state achieve self-reliance in dairy production.
Innovations and New Products
The Federation is driving change with innovative measures. Managing Director Dr. Vikas Sood highlighted that 271 dairy cooperative societies have been formed in Rampur, with 241 already functional. Farmers are paid ₹45 per liter for milk, and daily procurement has reached an all-time high of 1.4–2 lakh liters. A new initiative to collect goat milk in Una district has also been launched, with goat milk ghee now available in the market.
Empowering Farmers and Youth
To ensure high-quality dairy production, the Federation is conducting training programs in collaboration with NDDB and RDDC Jalandhar, focusing on hygienic milk production, cattle management, and cooperative leadership. Additionally, the new Dattnagar plant is set to provide self-employment opportunities for youth while reducing dependence on milk imports from other states.
Him Ganga Scheme: Strengthening Dairy Economy
The Himachal government has introduced the Him Ganga Scheme, aimed at stabilizing milk purchase prices based on production costs. With a ₹500 crore budget allocation, this initiative is set to strengthen the state’s dairy economy and provide better financial security to farmers.
A Win-Win for Farmers and the State
Farmers have welcomed these initiatives. Dharmapal Kayath from Nankhari praised the new Dattnagar facility, which ensures fair payments based on milk quality. Manmohan Singh from Rampur, who supplies 800 liters of milk daily to the plant, shared his satisfaction with the transparency and benefits offered by the Federation.
Reducing Dependency and Creating Opportunities
Deputy Commissioner Shimla, Anupam Kashyap, emphasized that the new plant will benefit dairy farmers across Rampur, Kullu, Mandi, and Kinnaur. The initiative not only offers fair prices for milk but also reduces the state’s reliance on external dairy products. By providing better returns, it discourages farmers from abandoning their cattle, reducing stray cattle on roads and minimizing accidents.
With such transformative steps, Himachal Pradesh is not just improving its dairy industry but also empowering its farmers and youth to build a sustainable and prosperous future.