A key benefit of these new plants is the positive impact on milk collection and farmer profitability. With more than 90% of Himachal’s population residing in rural areas and engaged in farming, the government’s priority is clear. By increasing milk collection points, the new infrastructure will ensure fairer and more remunerative prices for farmers, directly supporting their livelihoods. This investment also aims to improve the quality standards of milk procurement across the state.

To enhance operational efficiency and ensure transparency, the Himachal Pradesh Milk Federation (HIMFED) will soon introduce a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. This digital platform is a vital piece of data journalism for the dairy community, as it will allow farmers to access essential information on their phones, including real-time updates on milk collection, payment status, quality test results, and procurement rates. This digital transformation is designed to minimize manual errors and ensure that farmers are paid promptly and accurately.

The article also provides a glimpse into the future of dairy product diversification in the state. Alongside these new plants, a state-of-the-art processing facility at Dhagwar in the Kangra district is under construction. Once operational, this plant will produce a wide range of value-added products, including curd, lassi, butter, ghee, paneer, and mozzarella cheese. This diversification will allow the state’s dairy sector to cater to a broader consumer market and generate higher returns for the farming community.