Himachal Pradesh, NDDB inks MoU to strengthen dairy sector

INDIA – The Himachal Pradesh government and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) have signed three Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) to boost the dairy sector.

The first MoU involves the formation and operation of the Kangra Milk Union. The second relates to establishing two milk processing plants with capacities of 20,000 litres per day each at Nahan in Sirmaur district and Nalagarh in Solan district, as well as two milk chilling centres of 20,000 litres per day capacity at Jalari in Hamirpur district and Jhalera in Una district.

The third MoU involves the implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software within Milkfed.

A fully automated milk processing plant with a capacity of 150,000 litres per day is being developed at Dhagwar in Kangra district at a cost of US$27.05 million (Rs. 250 crore), with scope for future expansion to 300,000 litres per day.

The new Milk Union will encompass Kangra, Una, Hamirpur and Chamba districts, enhancing milk collection, processing and marketing.

The ERP software aims to modernise and bring transparency to the dairy sector by enabling digital management of milk collection, quality testing, production, storage and distribution.

It will maintain organised records of milk producers and ensure timely, transparent payments, as well as improving production management, stock control and supply chain monitoring.

CM Sukhu said that the state government has been taking steps to strengthen the rural economy since the first day after forming the government in state.

He said the dairy sector has been given priority by the government and these efforts will continue in the future. Through systemic reforms, the government is working to ensure that money reaches farmers directly.

He said that once the Dhagwar milk processing plant becomes operational in Kangra district, quality dairy products under the ‘Him’ brand will be introduced in the market.

He added that when the quality of products improves, the rural economy will become stronger and farmers will receive better returns for their hard work.

He said there is no dearth of funds with the state government to strengthen the dairy sector and that around US$32.46 million (Rs. 300 crore) will be spent in the coming time to set up more processing units in other parts of the state.

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