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Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today gave his nod for mega-expansion plan of the state's milk federation popularly known as MILKFED Punjab. Approving the set-up of four mega milk plants of Rs 250 crore each in the state, Badal said the state had to increase the processing capacity fourfold and these plants should be of international standards with ISO 9002 specifications. He said that Punjab had to become No. 1 exporter of milk products and should explore new markets in the Gulf.
He said the expansion plan would focus on setting up organised dairy farms, reorienting procurement of milk, scientific collection and chilling chain, ultra-modern processing facilities, value addition of milk products and effective marketing network to tap the brand of Verka.
Badal also approved a scheme for encouraging women. It would provide subsidised loans to them to set up farms.
Expressing concern over shortage of Green Fodder especially during summers, Badal said that new diversification plan has a special incentive for the farmers, who would switch over from Paddy or wheat farming to complete fodder farming.
Concerned on low penetration of Dairy Sector in the Rural economy, Badal said that out of 33000 crore milk markets the share of organized sector was 30% and out of which Milkfed's share was only 17%. He said that his focus was to increase its share to 30% and make the brand Verka as world known brand.
