SRINAGAR: Ladakh is looking to expand organised dairy activity and improve milk production by strengthening farmer linkages, cattle breeding, fodder development and milk collection networks, as the administration moves to make dairy processing more remunerative for rural producers.
Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra, during a review of the Ladakh Oma Dairy Plant in Leh, called for a comprehensive strengthening of the region’s dairy ecosystem, including better cattle breeds, scientific feeding, fodder development, animal induction and breeding practices.
The emphasis on improving milk quality and connecting more villages and dairy societies with processing facilities comes as the administration seeks to increase the participation of farmers in organised dairy activity and ensure better returns from milk production.
Kundra inspected the plant’s processing units and reviewed the functioning of machinery for milk, apricot and sea buckthorn processing. He sought details on processing capacity and utilisation, the availability of local raw materials, quality standards, farmer linkages, payment mechanisms and the benefits reaching local producers.
He directed officials to strengthen the connection between farmers and processing units to improve market access and ensure remunerative returns. He also called for the identification and strengthening of primary dairy societies and examined the possibility of providing refrigerated vehicles for more efficient milk collection and transportation from remote villages.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed proposals to expand dairy facilities in Nubra and sought details on the involvement of women in dairy activities, organic certification, manure management and future expansion.
He called for successful experiences of farmers in remote areas to be documented through video-based stories, saying such examples could encourage wider participation in organised dairy activities.
The review also covered the Kargil dairy plant, with discussions centred on improving farmer connectivity, milk collection and processing. The administration also stressed the need to extract greater value from locally produced apricots and sea buckthorn through products such as juice and other processed foods.
Kundra encouraged coordination between cooperatives, research institutions and government departments to develop local value chains and expand the economic benefits of Ladakh’s agricultural and horticultural produce.
The dairy review formed part of a wider field assessment by the Chief Secretary of development and infrastructure projects in Leh, with the administration examining their functioning, employment potential and ability to strengthen local livelihoods.
Kundra subsequently inaugurated a 3-tonne-per-day Tri-Fusion Gasifier Incinerator at the Solid Waste Resource Management Centre in Choglamsar. Officials demonstrated the system and explained its controlled thermal treatment process for reducing waste to ash while managing the gases and vapours generated during treatment.
The Chief Secretary sought details on emissions management, operational safety, residual ash and its possible utilisation. He also reviewed plans for dealing with legacy waste and asked about extending similar technology to other parts of Ladakh, including Khaltsi and Nubra.
Later, he inspected the Rural Development Department Guest House, where construction and finishing work is nearing completion. The facility is expected to be ready for handover by September 15.
He also visited the nearby National Rural Livelihoods Mission building to review its infrastructure, functioning and ongoing activities.
The visits brought together three areas identified by the administration as having direct implications for Ladakh’s rural economy and quality of life — strengthening agricultural and dairy value chains, improving scientific waste management and upgrading rural infrastructure.
Kundra was accompanied during the visits by senior officers from the Cooperative, Sheep Husbandry, PWD, Rural Development, Housing and Urban Development departments, besides officials of the Leh administration and other concerned agencies.
