Milk-producing farmers in Himachal Pradesh are receiving an average ₹34.18 crore per month in benefits—the highest ever— driven by a sharp rise in procurement by the state milk federation, which is currently collecting around 2.70 lakh litres of milk daily, up from 1.57 lakh litres per day in FY 2024–25. (Business Standard)
The initiative includes doorstep milk collection, significantly benefiting marginal dairy farmers in remote areas and improving their socio-economic conditions through direct and consistent income support.
The state government has also increased procurement prices over the past three years, with the 2026–27 budget fixing cow milk at ₹61 per litre and buffalo milk at ₹71 per litre, reinforcing farmer income stability.
Dairy sector participation has expanded, with village dairy societies rising from 27,498 to 39,790, and functional dairy cooperative societies increasing from 583 to 758 in three years, indicating stronger grassroots engagement.
Currently, 11 milk processing plants with a combined capacity of 1.80 lakh litres per day are operational, while a new plant in Dhagwar (Kangra) with an initial capacity of 1.50 lakh litres per day (expandable to 3 lakh litres) is under development, highlighting long-term infrastructure expansion.
The surge in procurement, pricing support, and infrastructure investment underscores a broader push to strengthen rural livelihoods, expand dairy participation, and position dairying as a sustainable income source for farmers.
Source: Dairynews7x7 5 April, 2026 Read full story here
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