The NDDB said it would also be investing around Rs 650m ($10.1m) in upgrades and to set up a milk procurement network in the state of Marathwada, and the state’s Vidarbha region, where the Nagpur plant is located.
The milk procurement set up in the initial three years will cover around 3,000 villages in 11 districts, covering about 60,000 farmers.
A part of the investment will also be made towards development of sales network across the city with 100 milk booths at key spots.
The upgrade, which was completed in four months, was part of an agreement between the Government of Maharashtra and the NDDB, which was signed in September, 2016.
Value added products
At the opening, Shri Nitin Gadkari, India’s Minister for Road Transport & Highways, said NDDB will bring a milk revolution in Vidarbha and Marathwada by putting in place a fair, transparent and sustainable system.
He said he was hopeful that farmers would take the opportunity and adopt dairy farming as an additional source of income.
Shri Dilip Rath, chairman of NDDB, said that the newly refurbished plant has a milk processing capacity of 50,000 liters per day, expandable to 200,000 liters per day.
He said Mother Dairy is setting up manufacturing lines for a value added dairy range, which will include curd and chaach (a yogurt drink also known as chaas). The new additions are expected to be commissioned by September 2017.
Looking for more assistance
Shri Rath asked the state government to support NDDB further with a lease agreement for land at Gove, near Mumbai, to help set up a 500,000 liters per day plant; and to allocate funds for breed development, AI, fodder development, animal health, and ration balancing advisory services to help increase productivity.
Mother Dairy, established in 1974, manufactures, markets and sells milk and dairy products including cultured products, ice creams, paneer and ghee under the Mother Dairy brand.