In a bid to herald a white revolution, Punjab would invest Rs. 80 crore on the modernization and strengthening its Milk Plants across the state thereby making all plants economically viable.Disclosing this here today the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal in a meeting with Managing Director National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) Mr. Dilip Rath who called on him at Chief Minister's residence this morning, Mr. Badal said that it was the need of the hour to bring persification of agriculture in Punjab and dairy farming was a major viable sector that could be seen as an alternative to the conventional agriculture which was no longer remunerative to the farmers due to the squeezed margins of profit. He said that allied farming sector has a tremendous growth in Punjab as a part of the crop persification program because of strong presence of livestock to give boost to the dairy sector.
Expressing state government's firm committed to bring multi-faceted development in the Dairy sector, Mr. Badal urged NDDB to chalk out a comprehensive plan to improve the Milk procurement system across the state besides extending technical and marketing skill training designed on scientific grounds by NDDB to the workers of different Milk Unions which could further impart the same to the farmers at their door steps.Mr. Badal also demanded NDDB's liberal assistance for the modernization of all the nine Milk Plants in the state so that much needed impetus could be given to the state’s rural economy through dairy development that could provide benefits to our farmers immensely especially the small and marginal farmers. It is worth mentioning here that NDDB has prepared a project report for modernization of the plants to be carried out by the NDDB on turnkey basis.
Taking part in the deliberations, Mr. Rath assured Mr. Badal the fulsome support and cooperation by the NDDB.Mr. Badal also asked Milkfed to initiate a vigorous awareness camping to strengthen the marketing network for the sale of milk and milk products not within the state but also across the country and even abroad, along with ensuring that remunerative milk price is offered to the milk producers. He also asked MD Milkfed to set up Verka kiosks at various strategic locations across the state especially in the educational institutions and other important public places. Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Financial Commissioner Animal Husbandry Mr. G. Vajralingam, Principal Secretary to CM Mr. SK Sandhu, Special Principal Secretary to CM Mr. KJS Cheema, Registrar Co-operative Societies Mr. AS Miglani, MD Milkfed Mrs. Alak Nanda Dyal and Director Animal Husbandry and Mr. HS Sandha.