Hon’ble Lt Governor Brig (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) inaugurates Milk Pasteurisation Plant at Agling.

Leh, Oct 04, 2023: The Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) inaugurated the Milk Pasteurisation Plant at Agling. The HLG later held a meeting with members of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and concerned officials from the UT Administration at Raj Niwas to discuss the Dairy Development Plan of UT Ladakh.
Chairman and Managing Director, NDDB, Dr Meenesh Shah, informed the HLG that as per the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the UT Administration along with LAHDC Leh and National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) last year, the Milk Pasteurisation Plant at Agling, with a capacity to pasteurise 2,000 litres of milk per hour, has been set up at a total cost of Rs 4.62 crores. He also informed the HLG that the total milch animal population in Ladakh stands at 46,105 as per the Livestock Census 2019 while the milk production stands at 117 TLPD (Thousand litres per day) as per the integrated survey 2017-18.
Stating that the Indian Army deployed in Ladakh require 50,000 litres of milk every day, Dr Meenesh informed that milk would be supplied to the Indian Army to meet their requirement. He added that the Milk Pasteurisation Plant will provide employment opportunities and benefit dairy farmers from Ladakh in generating income.
Dr Meenesh apprised the HLG of the Dairy Development Plan of UT Ladakh under which the dairy value chain will be developed in Ladakh by organising milk producers and regular market access and remunerative returns from the milk business will be provided to them along with making available quality milk and milk products to end consumers at an affordable price; help in enhancing the productivity of animals through appropriate nutrition and breeding based interventions during the project period from 2023-24 to 2027-28. He informed that NDDB will manage operations of Ladakh UT Dairy Cooperative Federation Ltd (LUTDCF) and constituent units/unions for 5 years; implement the dairy development plan in Leh and Kargil districts and draw support from the Department of Animal/Sheep Husbandry of Leh and Kargil districts for breeding, nutrition and healthcare activities.
Dr Meenesh, while informing the operationalisation of the Ladakh Milk Federation 2023-24, apprised the HLG that a Milk Pasteurisation Plant is being set up in Kargil along with the milk procurement targets for 2023-24, the arrangement with Indian Army to supply fresh milk to them; the supply of milk under the brand Oma and the establishment of milk booths at strategic locations; the resources required to initiate operations and the proposed contributions by NDDB.
Informing the HLG about the five-year strategy, Dr Meenesh stated that activities such as the setting up of a quality-based transparent Milk Procurement system, strengthening/setting up of milk processing and marketing infrastructure and Market Development, and Integrated Productivity Enhancement Services would be undertaken by NDDB. He informed that the total project outlay, including setting up of milk procurement system, strengthening/setting up of milk processing infrastructure such as expansion of existing plant of 5TLPD at Leh to 10 TLPD and setting up of new 5TLPD at Kargil and market development, stands at Rs 136.44 crores and efforts would be made by NDDB to get funds for the said project from Government of India.
Secretary to HLG, Shri Ravinder Kumar, who is also Secretary, Animal and Sheep Husbandry, informed the HLG that the milk of Ladakhi cattle containing anti-oxidant and hypoxic properties could be promoted among tourists.
The HLG commended and appreciated NDDB for their assistance in setting up the Milk Pasteurisation Plant at Leh and the upcoming Milk Pasteurisation Plant at Kargil. He stated that dairy farmers and entrepreneurs from Ladakh engaged in the dairy sector should get maximum benefit from the initiative. He highlighted the need to upgrade the infrastructure at the Plant, particularly for the winter months along with proper testing of milk samples.
Advisor to HLG, Dr Pawan Kotwal, IAS; Executive Councillors from LAHDC Leh- Shri Tashi Namgyal Yakzee and Shri Stanzin Chosphel; Secretary to HLG, Shri Ravinder Kumar; officials from NDDB led by Chairman/Managing Director, Dr Meenesh Shah; Director, Animal/Sheep Husbandry, Dr Mohd Iqbal and various other district officials were present during the inauguration.