SRINAGAR: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday laid the foundation stone of a 10,000 litres-per-day dairy processing plant in Kargil and launched a series of dairy development initiatives for Ladakh through virtual mode, officials said.
The initiatives include mobile milk testing laboratories, modern milk cooling systems and measures to strengthen dairy infrastructure, aimed at improving self-reliance in the Union Territory.
Officials said the dairy plant, with an estimated cost of Rs 25 crore, is being set up by the Indian Dairy Machinery Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). The project is being implemented under the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) of the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, with funding support from multiple sources.
The facility will operate on a 350-kilowatt solar energy system to ensure sustainable operations in the high-altitude region. A mobile milk collection and cooling system will also be introduced to facilitate direct procurement from farmers and maintain quality.
Officials said the measures are part of efforts to modernise the dairy sector in Ladakh, improve farmer income and streamline procurement systems. Steps have also been taken to address power supply issues and ensure digital payments to farmers.
They added that regular milk supply arrangements with the Indian Army have provided a stable market, supporting dairy operations in the region.
Under digital initiatives, systems such as AI-based monitoring, mobile milk collection units and climate-suitable cooling solutions have been introduced to maintain quality and transparency.
Officials said the dairy network has expanded from 74 farmers in one village to around 1,700 farmers, with daily milk collection reaching nearly 7,000 litres. Cumulative payments to farmers have crossed Rs 15 crore.
The upcoming facility is expected to benefit farmers by improving income opportunities and strengthening local supply chains. Additional steps, including expansion of cold chain infrastructure, mobile laboratories and automated milk collection systems, are also being implemented.
Value-added products such as paneer and curd are being promoted, along with partnerships with brands like Mother Dairy, Safal and Dhara to ensure availability of dairy products in the region.
