Innovative initiatives are underway to strengthen the milk based economy of Himachal Pradesh, official sources said here on Sunday.
A government spokesperson said the state government is in the process of developing a state–of–the–art automatic milk processing plant at Dagwar in Kangra district to produce a wide range of dairy products.
The initiative would go a long way in bolstering the rural economy.
Co-operation is also playing an important role in the development of the dairy sector in the state.
He said dairy sector assumes a greater significance and has been a major contributor to the growth of the rural economy as 90 percent of the State’s population resides in villages.
The state government has started the ambitious Him Ganga Scheme with a budgetary provision of Rs 500 crore.
The Government has announced an increase in the procurement price of milk by Rs six per litre with the objective of benefiting milk producers.
Himachal Pradesh State Co-operative Milk Producer’s Federation Limited has set up 102 Automatic Milk Collection Units (AMCUs) last year. In addition to it 455 automatic milk collection units are also made functional in the state to strengthen the economy of milk producers and to ensure the quality in milk production.
Apart from this, 106 bulk milk coolers have been installed so far under various projects in the state. As many as 35 can-meter coolers have been provided under the National Dairy Development programme to improve the quality of milk.
The cooperative societies have not only made the farmers self-sufficient but have also broken the shackles of gender, caste, religion, and community.
Concerted efforts are being made by the state government to form societies at the village level thereby increasing its number to 1,107. Initiating the White Revolution in the state.
Around 11 women societies have been formed in district Hamirpur and eight in district Kangra which indicates the efforts of the government towards women empowerment in the state.
To ensure participation of women in the dairy sector, the number of women milk producer cooperative societies is being increased in a phased manner.
