Minister of State for Forest, Animal & Sheep Husbandry, Cooperatives and Fisheries, Mir Zahoor Ahmad today visited Jammu Milk Plant at Satwari and took stock of its functioning. He also inspected the Laboratory and directed the concerned to keep it clean for ensuring quality of milk products.During his visit, the Minister was informed that Jammu and Kashmir Milk Producers Cooperative Limited (JKMPCL) with proactive support of Amul has membership base of over 10000 milk producers with linkages to 400 Village Dairy Cooperative Societies.It was also informed that under first phase of Strengthening the Infrastructure for Quality and Clean Milk Production (SIQ-CMP) scheme, Rs 1.23 crore was released as grant amount to JKMPCL. As per approved project JKMPCL has installed 14 Bulk Milk Coolers (BMCs) in Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam, Baramulla, Jammu, Samba and Kathua, thereby creating total chilling capacity of 33 TLPD, the Minister was informed.
Under Intensive Dairy Development Programme (IDDP), JKMPCL has received Rs1.92 crore for starting milk procurement from Rajouri, Poonch and Kupwara. Under the programme, Rs 1.12 crore were allocated for purchase of BMCs and creation of 35 TLPD chilling capacity. It was also informed that Milk Procurement from Rajouri has started with an average procurement of around 3000 litre milk per day.It was given out that over 30,000 litre of milk per day was being processed at the Plant daily and marketed in Jammu under Brand “Snowcap”. During 2016-17, the Plant had earned a profit of Rs 30 lakh approximately.It was also informed that the Organization is purchasing Milk from the farmers at good rates as per the quality.Interacting with the Management of JKMPCL, the Minister emphasized the need for improving and strengthening the village level infrastructure so that dairy production is pursued as a gainful commercial activity. He also stressed for developing cordial working relationship between the JKMPCL and the Village Level Cooperatives for deep penetration of benefits.Mir Zahoor also called for massive advertising of “Snowcap” brand through print and electronic media. He also stressed upon the concerned for organizing awareness camps and workshops so that the general masses are aware about the quality and benefits of Brand.