Leh, May 1: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Friday inaugurated and laid the foundation for multiple dairy infrastructure and cooperative sector initiatives in Ladakh, aimed at strengthening rural livelihoods and boosting the region’s dairy economy.
The event, held in Leh, was attended by Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Ministers of State S. P. Singh Baghel and George Kurian, and Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinay Kumar Saxena.
As part of the programme, the foundation stone was laid for a ₹25 crore dairy plant in Kargil with a processing capacity of 10,000 litres per day. Shah said the project would help local women achieve financial independence and support their families through dairy-based livelihoods.
He also inaugurated dairy processing infrastructure in Leh, noting that production has already begun at an existing milk plant in the region. A mobile milk testing laboratory worth ₹45 lakh was flagged off to strengthen quality assurance, while an Android-based Automated Milk Collection System (AMCS) app was launched to enable farmers to track milk procurement and payments transparently.
In a move to expand market access, an MoU was signed between the Ladakh Milk Federation and Mother Dairy to facilitate marketing and distribution of Ladakh’s dairy products across the country. Shah said the agreement would connect local producers to larger markets, including Delhi, and improve value realisation.
Highlighting future plans, the minister announced that a new dairy plant with a capacity of 50,000 litres per day will be set up in Leh at an estimated cost of ₹70 crore. He added that efforts are underway to introduce high-yield livestock suited to Ladakh’s climatic conditions and expand the dairy network to more villages.
Shah said cooperative societies would also be established in sectors such as pashmina, organic products, and honey to diversify rural income sources. He noted that around 1,700 milk producers across 28 villages are already connected under existing cooperative networks, and urged further expansion.
Citing national trends, Shah said India’s milk production has increased from 146 million tonnes in 2014–15 to 248 million tonnes currently, marking a 70 per cent rise. He added that the country now has over 2.36 lakh dairy cooperative societies involving nearly two crore milk producers.
The minister also highlighted broader development initiatives in Ladakh since it became a Union Territory in 2019, including expansion in road connectivity, telecom infrastructure, and public services. He said the region’s budget has increased to ₹6,000 crore, six times higher than earlier allocations.
Referring to strategic and infrastructural developments, Shah said projects such as the Zoji La tunnel and improved all-weather connectivity are transforming the region. He added that the Sindhu Infrastructure Development Corporation has been established to accelerate industrial growth in Ladakh.
Paying tribute to the people of Ladakh, Shah said the region has consistently shown resilience and patriotism, particularly in safeguarding India’s borders.
Officials said the initiatives are expected to strengthen Ladakh’s dairy value chain, enhance farmer incomes, and promote cooperative-led economic development in the Union Territory.
