Punjab Farmers Eye Premium Cheese Beyond Paneer
Punjab’s dairy farmers are expanding beyond paneer into the premium cheese segment, driven by evolving domestic tastes and the $98 billion global cheese market. At GADVASU's College of Dairy and Food Science Technology, dairy producers, QSR chains, retailers, startups, and industry experts gathered to explore opportunities in artisanal cheeses like mozzarella, ricotta, chevre, cheddar, bocconcini, burrata, and Parmesan .
Highlighting Punjab’s high-quality milk as a foundation, veterinarians demonstrated cheese varieties, showing that roughly 120 kg of milk can yield 10 kg of mozzarella and 5 kg of ricotta—enhancing profitability for milk producers . GADVASU provides six months of incubation support—including training in processing, packaging, marketing, and pilot-scale units—enabling farmers to create market-ready premium cheeses .
This initiative aligns with rising youth interest in commercial dairy farming and aims to open local and global markets using incubated enterprises supported by industry linkage and technical training .
Industry Insight:
Diversifying into premium cheese is a timely value-add for Punjab’s dairy sector—empowering farmers, elevating income potential, and positioning the state as a competitive player in India’s emerging cheese ecosystem.
Source : Dairynews7x7 July 20th 2025