1 killed, 5 injured in blast at Ludhiana’s Verka milk plant
Ludhiana Milk Plant Boiler Blast: At least one man died and five others were seriously injured in a high-intensity blast at the Verka milk plant on the Ferozepur road in Ludhiana late Wednesday. The Verka brand is owned by the government’s milk procurement cooperative, Punjab State Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation Limited (MILKFED). Sub Inspector Aditya Sharma,…
Thermal-Battery Chillers Revolutionising India’s Dairy Cold Chain
In an insightful report by Latitude Media, Promethean Power Systems’ thermal-battery technology is shown to be transforming cold storage for India’s dairy farmers. The system uses a phase-change “thermal battery” to chill milk rapidly, bypassing the limits of unreliable rural grids. Founded with an MIT grant in 2007, the company settled on dairy collection centres…
Dairy & Fisheries Co-ops to Serve as Bank Mitras: Financial Inclusion
The Ministry of Cooperation announced that dairy and fisheries cooperative societies will be designated as Bank Mitras of district central cooperative banks (DCCBs) and state cooperative banks (StCBs). Supported by NABARD, micro-ATMs are being deployed to these societies to enable door-step digital financial services in rural and semi-urban areas. The scheme began as a pilot…
Nandini Sweets Hits ₹46 Cr, Sets Record in Festive Season
Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), through its Nandini sweets line, sold 1,100 metric tonnes of products and achieved a revenue of ₹46 crore during the Dasara–Diwali season—a 38% jump over last year. Last year, KMF had recorded 725-tonne volume and ₹33.48 crore turnover in the same festival period. KMF procures roughly one crore litres of milk…
Yili Leads Global Dairy Innovation & Sustainability Drive
Yili Group, China’s leading dairy firm, is ramping up efforts in both product innovation and environmental sustainability, according to an interview published by FoodBev Media. The company recently secured multiple nominations and wins at the International Dairy Federation (IDF) Dairy Innovation Awards at the 2025 World Dairy Summit, underlining its global ambitions. Key innovations include:…
Fonterra’s $4.2 B Sale Sparks Brand-Control and National Interest Alarm
Fonterra, the New Zealand dairy co-operative owned by approximately 10,000 farmer‐shareholders, has announced plans to sell its global consumer‐goods division—including iconic brands such as Anchor, Mainland, Kāpiti, Fresh’n Fruity, Anmum and Fernleaf—to French dairy giant Lactalis for around NZ$4.2 billion (US$3.8 billion+) as part of its strategy to focus more on premium ingredients and food-service…
Dairy Makes a Comeback as America’s New Superfood Trend
Health-conscious Americans are showing renewed interest in dairy products, particularly in protein-rich and fermented forms such as yogurt, cottage cheese, and kefir. The global dairy-based protein market was valued at ~US$15 billion in 2024, and is projected to reach ~US$22 billion by 2033. Key drivers include: Viral food-hacks (for example, blending cottage cheese into sauces…
“Cow Culture and Commerce: India’s Strategic Dairy Stand
The article by Dr P Harsha Bhargavi explores how the cow is deeply embedded in India’s culture, economy and global dairy trade dynamics. It notes that India’s reluctance to open its dairy market to major exports—particularly from the U.S.—is driven not just by economics but by a cultural value placed on indigenous breeds and dairy traditions. (…
Post-Diwali Farm Challenge: From Consumer to Producer Focus
Retail food inflation in India has turned negative for four consecutive months, ending September 2025, thanks to strong monsoons and improving supply conditions. Yet, this apparent victory for consumers masks a deepening crisis for farmers: many crops — such as maize, soyabean, cotton, millets and pulses — are trading well below their Minimum Support Prices…
Maize Market Prices Fall Far Below MSP Despite Ethanol Push
Despite a ~12 % jump in maize cultivation (surpassing 9.5 million ha) driven by the government’s ethanol-blending push, farmers are collapsing under sharply low market prices. In Madhya Pradesh, maize is selling at model prices of ₹1,140–1,400/ quintal, while the government’s Minimum Support Price (MSP) is set at ₹2,400/ quintal for 2025-26 — a gap…