Milk Processing Plant in Dhagwar: A Boost for Dairy Farmers in Himachal
Dharamshala, January 6 – In a significant move to strengthen the rural economy and empower dairy farmers, Deputy Commissioner Kangra, Hemraj Bairwa, inspected the proposed site for an automatic milk processing plant in Dhagwar on Monday. Dr. Vikas Sood, MD of Himachal Pradesh Milkfed, accompanied him during the inspection.
The state government is setting up this modern milk processing facility with an initial capacity of 1.5 lakh liters per day (LLPD), expandable to 3 lakh liters per day (LLPD). The project, with an investment of ₹250 crore in its first phase, aims to produce a variety of high-quality dairy products such as toned milk, double-toned milk, yogurt, cheese, lassi, khoa, and mozzarella cheese.
Empowering Dairy Farmers
Deputy Commissioner Bairwa highlighted that the plant would provide a steady and reliable market for milk, directly benefiting animal herders in districts like Kangra, Una, Chamba, and Hamirpur. By focusing on the production of premium dairy products, the plant is expected to boost milk prices, substantially increasing farmers’ income. This initiative aligns with the government’s efforts to enhance rural livelihoods and foster socio-economic growth in the region.
Transforming Dairy Farming
The plant is a step toward modernizing the milk procurement, processing, and marketing system in Himachal Pradesh. The initiative aims to make dairy farming more profitable, creating new opportunities for farmers and ensuring their sustainable development. It also ties into the state government’s ambitious ‘Him Ganga’ plan, announced by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, which focuses on building a milk-based economy and making animal husbandry a viable business.
Officials Present
Tehsildar Dharamshala Giriraj Thakur, Senior Manager of HP Milkfed Preeti Arya, Plant Engineer Akhilesh Parashar, and other departmental officers were present during the inspection.
The upcoming plant in Dhagwar is expected to revolutionize dairy farming in Himachal Pradesh, offering financial security to farmers and driving rural economic growth.
