Dhagwar milk plant will be state’s most advanced dairy facility

Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Chander Kumar has said that the upcoming milk plant at Dhagwar in Kangra district will be developed as the state’s most advanced and fully automated dairy processing facility, operating in accordance with international standards.

The minister inspected the under-construction plant, which would have a processing capacity of one lakh litres of milk per day. He emphasised the state government’s commitment to ensuring quality, hygiene and efficiency in milk production. He directed the officials concerned and the contractor to expedite the remaining work while maintaining high construction and operational standards. A Chief Engineer-level officer would also be involved in the project monitoring committee to strengthen oversight and ensure timely completion.

The minister said that the Rs 225-crore project had achieved 41 per cent physical progress so far. Once operational, the plant would produce a diverse range of dairy products such as toned, double-toned, standard and full-cream milk, as well as khoya, yogurt, lassi, paneer, mozzarella cheese and flavoured milk.

He added that the project would be a milestone in enhancing the income of milk producers, creating employment opportunities for the rural youth, and boosting the local economy.

The Ariculture Minister highlighted the government’s broader vision and said, “Himachal Pradesh is promoting modern technology and value addition in agriculture and animal husbandry to make farmers and livestock owners self-reliant and economically empowered.”

He mentioned several initiatives under the current administration to strengthen the rural economy. “The state government is procuring cow milk at Rs 50 per litre and buffalo milk at Rs 61 per litre. Additionally, it is purchasing naturally-grown corn at Rs 40 per kg, wheat at Rs 60 per kg, raw turmeric at Rs 90 per kg and barley at Rs 60 per kg. To fulfil an election promise, the government has begun purchasing cow dung manure from cattle farmers at Rs 300 per quintal,” he added.

Chander Kumar said that these initiatives reflected the government’s commitment to ensuring prosperity for farmers, dairy producers and orchardists in Himachal Pradesh.