Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar Leads Delegation to National Dairy Development Board in Gujarat to Review Innovations

Shimla, 08 April:
In a significant move aimed at transforming the dairy sector in Himachal Pradesh, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Prof. Chander Kumar, along with Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania and MLA Malender Rajan, visited the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in Anand, Gujarat. The visit is part of the state’s efforts to enhance the dairy industry, introduce value-added products, and address the challenges faced by animal husbandry in the mountainous terrain of Himachal Pradesh.

During the visit, the delegation engaged in a detailed discussion with Dr. Manish Shah, Chairman of NDDB, focusing on technical cooperation within the dairy sector, improving animal fodder availability, disease control, increasing productivity, and strengthening the marketing network. The meeting also emphasized the need for farmer-friendly schemes, keeping in mind the unique geographical challenges of Himachal Pradesh. Dr. Shah shared various innovative approaches and initiatives that have been successful in Gujarat, offering valuable insights that could be implemented in Himachal as well.

The delegation also included Dr. Sandeep Thakur, Manager (Marketing), and Mr. Praveen Sharma, Deputy Manager from the Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Milk Producers Federation (HPSCMPF). They presented the current schemes, marketing strategies, and upcoming projects under DAPSAMIC (Dairy and Allied Projects in State of Himachal Pradesh) and sought technical guidance and collaboration from NDDB to enhance the dairy sector in Himachal.

An essential part of the visit was the delegation’s tour of the Amul Chocolate Plant in Anand, where they observed modern chocolate manufacturing processes, quality control measures, and branding strategies. This visit opened up possibilities for introducing value-added dairy products in Himachal Pradesh, which could provide local milk producers with better market access and pricing opportunities.

Agriculture Minister Prof. Chander Kumar expressed that the visit was a crucial step towards making Himachal’s dairy sector self-reliant and competitive. He emphasized that local producers would benefit from improved training, enhanced market linkages, and better pricing, ultimately strengthening the dairy industry in the state.