India, July 20 -- In a major boost to India's dairy sector, Amul has announced the establishment of the world's largest curd manufacturing plant in West Bengal under the Amul Bengal Dairy Project. The foundation stone for the project was laid during a ceremony in Kolkata by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah, marking a significant step towards strengthening the country's cooperative dairy ecosystem and advancing the vision of "White Revolution 2.0."
The project, coming up at Howrah Food Park, will involve an investment of approximately 700 crore. Once fully operational, the dairy facility will have the capacity to process 30 lakh litres of milk per day, making it one of the largest integrated dairy processing units in the country.
Massive Processing Capacity
The upcoming plant will be capable of producing around 1,000 metric tonnes (10 lakh kilograms) of curd and other cultured dairy products every day, making it the largest curd manufacturing facility globally. Besides curd, the plant will also manufacture a diverse portfolio of dairy products, including:
10 lakh litres of packaged milk per day
2 lakh litres of UHT milk
1 lakh litres of ice cream
20 metric tonnes of paneer
10 metric tonnes of ghee
10 metric tonnes of sweets
Approximately 2.5 lakh packs of flavoured milk daily
Boost for Dairy Farmers
Addressing the gathering, Amit Shah said that the project would provide a major boost to milk producers and livestock rearers in the state. During the first phase itself, the plant will process 10 lakh litres of milk per day, directly benefiting around 1.20 lakh small dairy farmers. Upon full expansion, the project is expected to create a stable and transparent market for milk supplied by nearly 2.5 lakh livestock rearers, ensuring better price realisation and higher rural incomes.
Highlighting the strength of the cooperative model, Shah noted that 87% of every 100 spent by consumers on Amul products reaches farmers and livestock rearers, reinforcing the organisation's farmer-centric business model.
Strengthening the Dairy Value Chain
The Amul Bengal Dairy Project is expected to significantly enhance milk processing, value addition, cold-chain infrastructure and dairy marketing across eastern India. The facility will strengthen dairy cooperatives in West Bengal while creating new employment opportunities and supporting rural economic development.
The project also aligns with the Government of India's vision of expanding the cooperative movement and increasing farmer incomes through modern dairy infrastructure. Additional initiatives, including improved animal breeding programmes and the establishment of a sex-sorted semen facility, are expected to further enhance dairy productivity in the state.
Driving White Revolution 2.0
The new dairy project is expected to play a pivotal role in ushering in a new phase of dairy growth in West Bengal, strengthening the state's dairy ecosystem through modern processing technologies, enhanced value addition and efficient supply chains. By improving market access for farmers and expanding production capacity, the project is set to contribute significantly to India's dairy industry while reinforcing Amul's leadership in the global cooperative dairy sector.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from FoodTechBiz.