Himachal Pradesh to Digitalize Milk Procurement by March 2025, announces CM Sukhu

Shimla, 15 Nov 2024– Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced on Friday that the state government, in collaboration with the Himachal Pradesh Milk Federation, will digitalize milk procurement by March 31 next year. This initiative aims to integrate modern technology into the dairy sector, promoting transparency and efficiency in the milk procurement process.

According to the Chief Minister, the new digital system will enable farmers to receive timely updates about the quality and pricing of their milk via SMS notifications. This real-time data system will also ensure that payments are directly deposited into farmers’ bank accounts, reducing delays and enhancing financial security for dairy producers. Sukhu shared this update during the inauguration of a newly established milk processing plant by Milkfed in Duttnagar, within the Rampur Assembly constituency. This state-of-the-art facility, constructed at a cost of Rs. 25.67 crore, has the capacity to process 50,000 liters of milk daily. Coupled with an existing 20,000-liter capacity plant, the total daily processing capability of the facility now reaches 70,000 liters. The plant will produce an array of dairy products, including flavored milk, khoya, butter, ghee, paneer, lassi, and curd.

Highlighting the positive impact of this development, the Chief Minister noted that milk producers from Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, and Kinnaur districts would directly benefit from the increased capacity. Approximately 20,000 farmers who are part of 271 milk cooperative societies in these areas stand to gain from the expanded facility.

The Chief Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to bolstering the rural economy, which was underscored as a key priority in the state’s budget. By focusing on enhancing income opportunities for farming families, the administration aims to foster better living standards for rural communities. Sukhu stated that the current government’s vision, termed ‘Vyavastha Parivartan,’ aims to enable residents to lead improved lives in their villages through comprehensive reforms in various government sectors.

Drawing from his personal experiences, Sukhu shared his background of growing up in a farming family and reiterated that his work has never been driven by political motives. He noted that despite not being pressured by farmers to increase milk prices, the government proactively raised the price by Rs. 13-15 per liter to strengthen the financial stability of rural households.

The Chief Minister also announced plans to recruit 900 veterinary pharmacists to enhance services provided by the Animal Husbandry Department, ensuring better healthcare for livestock and supporting the animal breeders’ community.

Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Chander Kumar expressed support for the Federation’s focus on value addition to dairy products, which would ultimately boost farmers’ incomes. He urged farmers to maintain the health of their livestock, noting that the state is increasing support for animal breeders to achieve this goal. Kumar also mentioned the forthcoming launch of a scheme that would involve purchasing cow dung from farmers, creating an additional revenue stream for rural households.

Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for the inauguration of the Duttnagar plant. He highlighted the positive economic implications of the plant for the local farming community, especially for women involved in dairy production. Singh added that Sukhu’s commitment to farmers’ prosperity was evident even when he was in the opposition, and that now, as Chief Minister, he is implementing numerous initiatives aimed at uplifting the farming sector.

The Himachal Pradesh government is determined to introduce more forward-thinking policies in the near future, which are expected to significantly contribute to the state’s economic progress and strengthen its rural economy.