Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening the rural economy as he inaugurated a state-of-the-art milk processing plant in Duttnagar, Rampur assembly constituency. Built at a cost of Rs 25.67 crore, the facility enhances the plant’s capacity to 70,000 liters per day, with new production lines for flavoured milk, khoya, ghee, butter, paneer, lassi, and curd.
“This plant will directly benefit over 20,000 farmers from Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, and Kinnaur districts, associated with 271 milk cooperative societies,” Sukhu announced. He urged the Himachal Pradesh Milk Federation to adopt cutting-edge technology and pledged a digital milk procurement system by March 31, 2025. “This system will ensure transparency, providing real-time updates on milk quality and pricing via SMS. Payments will be credited directly to farmers’ accounts,” he added.
Highlighting his government’s initiatives, Sukhu noted a significant Rs 13 to Rs 15 increase in milk rates, benefiting rural families. “No farmer demanded this raise; it was a step towards empowering our villagers and enhancing their income,” he said. Sukhu also touted historic increases in MNREGA wages and efforts to support natural farming by purchasing maize and wheat at remunerative prices.
Sukhu criticized the previous BJP Government for opening institutions without adequate planning and alleged wasteful spending of Rs 5,000 crore for electoral gains. He emphasized his administration’s focus on meaningful reforms, including recruiting 900 veterinary pharmacists to support animal husbandry.
He acknowledged challenges, including the aftermath of natural disasters, and praised the state’s resilience. “Despite limited central assistance, we rehabilitated 23,000 disaster-affected families with a Rs 4,500 crore relief package,” he stated, adding that restoring damaged roads ensured farmers’ produce reached markets without losses.
Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Chander Kumar highlighted ongoing efforts to revive interest in farming and livestock rearing. He announced initiatives to improve livestock breeds, promote the milk of hill cows as a brand, and purchase cow dung to support natural farming.
Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh lauded Sukhu for prioritizing farmers’ welfare and improving road connectivity. He assured that more transformative schemes would follow, revolutionizing Himachal’s economy and rural development.
