The Bihar State Milk Co-operative Federation Ltd (Comfed), operating under the Sudha brand, is scaling up its operations with an eye on international markets. Established in 1983 under the guidance of Verghese Kurien, Comfed has transformed from a struggling state initiative into a cooperative with an annual turnover of ₹1,500 crore and profits nearing ₹40 crore.
Currently, Comfed collects approximately 30 lakh litres of milk daily, with plans to increase this to 45 lakh litres. Of the current collection, 18 lakh litres are sold as liquid milk, while the remainder is processed into various dairy products. The organization has begun exporting premium ghee, gulab jamun, and makhana to the U.S. via the Bihta dry port and Mundra port in Gujarat, and is exploring opportunities in the UAE market.
Domestically, Comfed has expanded its footprint by establishing plants in West Bengal and the National Capital Region (NCR), although these are not yet operating at full capacity. The cooperative boasts a robust network of over 30,000 milk societies and is implementing direct benefit transfers to farmers to enhance transparency and efficiency. Additionally, Comfed plans to introduce an accidental medical insurance scheme worth ₹5 lakh for each farmer.
Industry Insight:
Comfed’s strategic expansion into international markets and its emphasis on farmer welfare and product quality position it as a significant player in the dairy sector. Its growth trajectory offers valuable insights for stakeholders aiming to balance scale with cooperative principles.
Source : Fairynews7x7 May 19th 2025 TOI