Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday launched new dairy initiatives aimed at improving farmer incomes in Ladakh and virtually laid the foundation stone of a 10,000-litre-per-day dairy plant in Kargil, officials said.
According to officials, the initiatives, launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, include mobile milk testing laboratories, modern milk cooling systems, and upgraded dairy infrastructure aimed at promoting self-reliance in the UT.
They said a modern dairy processing plant with a capacity of 10,000 litres per day is being established at an estimated cost of Rs 25 crore by 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. It includes a grant of Rs 12.74 crore, financial assistance of Rs 10 crore from NDDF, and the remaining funding through LUTDCF resources routed via the Himachal Pradesh administration, officials said.
The plant will operate on a 350-kilowatt solar energy system, ensuring environmentally friendly and sustainable operations suited to the high-altitude conditions of Ladakh.
For milk procurement, a modern Mobile Milk Collection and Cooling System will be introduced to directly collect milk from farmers, maintain quality, and boost the local rural economy, officials said.
Officials added that these initiatives are part of a larger plan to modernise Ladakh’s dairy sector, improve farmers’ income, and bring transparency to procurement systems. Steps have also been taken to address electricity challenges, streamline milk collection, and ensure timely digital payments to farmers.
A significant boost to the dairy sector has come through regular milk supply arrangements with the Indian Army, which has created a stable market and improved operational reliability in the region, officials said.
Under digital reforms, AI-based monitoring systems, mobile milk collection units, and climate-friendly cooling solutions have been introduced to maintain quality standards and improve transparency across operations.
Officials said the impact of these measures is already visible. The dairy network has expanded from just 74 farmers in one village to nearly 1,700 farmers. Daily milk collection has reached about 7,000 litres, while total payments to farmers have crossed Rs 15 crore.
The upcoming solar-powered facility is expected to directly benefit thousands of farmers by increasing income opportunities and strengthening local agricultural value chains.
Officials further said that mobile laboratories, expanded cold chain networks, and digital Automated Milk Collection Systems (AMCS) are being introduced to improve efficiency and ensure better quality control.
Value addition is also being promoted through products such as paneer and curd. Partnerships with brands like Mother Dairy, Safal, and Dhara are helping ensure a steady supply of quality dairy products to consumers in Ladakh.
The programme also recognised high-performing farmers to encourage greater participation and productivity within the cooperative dairy system. Officials described the initiative as a comprehensive rural development model focused on cooperative growth, stable farmer incomes, and improved living standards, calling it an important step towards a self-reliant Ladakh and the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
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