Fog & Frost Pose New Risks to Agriculture & Dairy in Punjab
Persistent dense fog and dropping temperatures across Punjab — especially around Ludhiana and surrounding districts — are raising fresh concerns for both agriculture and dairy sectors, as winter weather increasingly impacts crop health, livestock welfare and rural operations. Experts and extension scientists are urging proactive measures to reduce potential losses. Meteorological forecasts and red alerts…
Audit Uncovers Massive Livestock Carcass Burden in Punjab
A landmark audit of livestock fatalities in Punjab has exposed a vast and largely unregulated livestock carcass disposal challenge, highlighting environmental and public health risks in India’s high-milk-producing state. The findings show that more than 24,000 cattle carcasses are discarded every month across 5,541 sites, most of which are unmanaged and informal. The data was…
Punjab Dairy Reels After Rs 20/- Price Cut Farmers Protest
Dairy farmers in Punjab have raised the alarm after the state government reduced milk procurement prices by ₹20 per kg of fat with effect from 21 December, a move that has sharply dented farmer incomes and confidence in the sector. The Progressive Dairy Farmers Association (PDFA) has written to the Chief Minister urging an immediate…
Punjab Slashes Cooperative Registration Fees to Boost Dairy
In a significant policy move to strengthen the cooperative ecosystem, the Government of Punjab has announced a substantial reduction in registration fees for agriculture, dairy and fisheries cooperatives, aiming to stimulate membership, formalise more producer groups and accelerate sectoral growth. The decision was approved during a recent Cabinet meeting and is positioned as part of…
Nearly 50% of Paneer in Punjab Markets Fails Quality Tests
Punjab’s dairy consumers have been hit by a serious paneer adulteration crisis, with nearly half of samples tested failing food safety standards, government data shows. According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, about 47% of paneer and other milk product samples collected in the state during 2024–25 were found to be adulterated…
Punjab bets big on goat cheese to boost farmers’ income
Punjab’s Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) is entering the premium cheese space by launching goat cheese (“chèvre”) production, a first for the state. The College of Dairy & Food Science Technology is developing a range of cheeses — from mozzarella and feta to ricotta and chèvre — with scientific precision, turning…
Punjab Dairy Sector Strengthened by Vet Varsity–PDFA Pact
Punjab’s dairy sector, one of India’s most vibrant milk belts, is set for a new growth wave as the state’s leading veterinary university joined hands with the Progressive Dairy Farmers’ Association (PDFA). This collaboration comes at a crucial time when India is consolidating its position as the world’s largest milk producer. Punjab accounts for a…
Punjab Farmers Eye Premium Cheese Beyond Paneer
Punjab’s dairy farmers are expanding beyond paneer into the premium cheese segment, driven by evolving domestic tastes and the $98 billion global cheese market. At GADVASU’s College of Dairy and Food Science Technology, dairy producers, QSR chains, retailers, startups, and industry experts gathered to explore opportunities in artisanal cheeses like mozzarella, ricotta, chevre, cheddar, bocconcini, burrata,…
Punjab Raises Red Flag on Fake Paneer after Food Safety Drive
Punjab’s Food Safety Department has launched a vigorous statewide crackdown following alarming instances of adulterated and spurious paneer flooding local markets. In a proactive drive covering dairy shops, street vendors, and eateries, authorities collected over 150 paneer samples in recent weeks, with a significant number found to be substandard or outright fake. Preliminary tests revealed…
Punjab Launches ₹135 Cr Dairy Expansion in Majha
In a significant move to bolster Punjab’s dairy sector, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has unveiled a ₹135 crore expansion project for the Milkfed plant in Amritsar’s Majha region. The initiative aims to enhance the production of sterilized flavored milk and introduce new fermented dairy products such as lassi, curd, and rabri. This expansion is projected…