CM Sukhu Pledges Support to Rural Economy with Strategic Initiatives for Milk Producers
Strengthening the Dairy Sector and Promoting Sustainable Practices in Himachal Pradesh
In a review meeting held today, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu emphasized the government’s ongoing efforts to uplift the rural economy, particularly by offering fair prices to milk producers in the state. He highlighted that Himachal Pradesh is the first state in India to introduce a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for milk procurement, setting the highest rates in the country. Currently, cow milk is being purchased at Rs. 45 per litre, while buffalo milk is being procured at Rs. 55 per litre from farmers. The Chief Minister assured that several new initiatives would be unveiled in the upcoming 2025-26 budget to further strengthen the rural economy.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister shared the state’s plans to invest Rs. 161.52 crore in establishing six new milk chilling and processing plants across Himachal Pradesh. A state-of-the-art, fully automated milk processing facility is also being set up in Dagwar, Kangra district, with a daily capacity of 1.50 lakh litres of milk, expandable to 3 lakh litres. Expected to start operations in March 2026, this plant will serve milk producers in Kangra, Una, Hamirpur, and neighboring districts. The construction work for this project is already underway, with 10 percent of the work completed, and the Chief Minister urged officials to speed up the process.
Embracing Technology for Improved Milk Procurement and Quality
The Chief Minister further directed officials to ensure high-quality milk products for consumers and to conduct seasonal studies to assess milk availability from farmers. He stressed the importance of incorporating advanced technology to maximize the benefits for farmers. In line with this, a pilot project for the digitization of milk procurement will soon begin in 8-10 societies. The aim is to streamline processes by enabling real-time data management, individual milk testing, and web and mobile interfaces for better monitoring. Additionally, GPS-enabled route tracking for efficient milk transportation will be implemented.
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Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu emphasized that the money for milk procurement would be directly transferred to the bank accounts of the farmers, and detailed information regarding milk collection, quality, and pricing would be communicated via SMS. This digital approach aims to ensure transparency and smooth operations in the milk procurement system.
Promoting Sustainable Practices and Supporting Farmers
The Chief Minister also touched upon the state’s focus on promoting natural farming, where cattle rearing plays a crucial role. He mentioned that cattle rearing is integral to reducing the dependence on chemical-based farming practices, as these two activities are interconnected.
In conclusion, Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu directed the officials to educate milk producers on animal care and create mechanisms to support the farmers in improving their practices. The meeting was attended by Animal Husbandry Minister Prof. Chander Kumar, Secretary Ritesh Chauhan, Chief Minister’s Secretary Rakesh Kanwar, Managing Director of Milk Fed Vikas Sood, and other senior officers of the State Government.
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