Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday (1 May) virtually laid the foundation stone of a 10,000 litres per day dairy processing plant in Kargil, alongside a suite of dairy development initiatives aimed at building self-reliance in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
The plant, estimated to cost Rs 25 crore, is being set up by the Indian Dairy Machinery Company, a fully owned subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
Funding comes through the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) under the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, with a grant of Rs 12.74 crore.
An additional Rs 10 crore has been committed by NDDF, with the remaining amount routed through the Himachal Pradesh administration via LUTDCF funds.
The facility will be powered by a 350-kilowatt solar energy system, making it a clean-energy operation suited to the demands of the high-altitude region.
The initiatives launched alongside the plant include mobile milk testing laboratories, modern cooling systems and upgraded dairy infrastructure.
A mobile milk collection and cooling system will enable direct procurement from farmers while preserving quality.
Officials said the dairy network in the region has grown significantly, expanding from 74 farmers in a single village to around 1,700 farmers.
Daily milk collection now stands at nearly 7,000 litres, and cumulative payments to farmers have crossed Rs 15 crore.
A regular milk supply arrangement with the Indian Army has provided a stable market for local producers. Digital reforms including AI-based monitoring, mobile collection units and automated milk collection systems have also been introduced.
Value-added products such as paneer and curd are being promoted through partnerships with brands like Mother Dairy, Safal and Dhara to ensure quality supply within Ladakh.