Odisha: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday inaugurated the automated milk processing plant being set up by Odisha State Cooperative Milk Producers Federation (OMFED) at Arilo-Govindpur in Cuttack district.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister said that OMFED is the institution of lakhs of dairy farmers in the state. All farmer brothers and sisters have contributed to its development. OMFED has also always been working to protect the interests of the farmers. The inauguration of the new plant will increase farmers’ incomes and benefit about 600,000 farmers. The state government is giving a subsidy of up to Rs. 50 lakh to the youth community for the establishment of dairy farms and processing units in the state.
The Chief Minister, therefore, called on the people of the State to take advantage of the various programs of the government and wished everyone’s cooperation in the government’s efforts to bring about a white revolution. He revealed that the milk collection capacity of OMFED in the state is targeted to increase to 10 lakh liters per day.
It is to be worthwhile to mention that milk production in the state has tripled in the last two decades. In 2000, the state’s milk production was 8.75 lakh metric tonnes, while in 2020 it has increased to 23.70 lakh metric tonnes. Currently, 5 lakh liters of milk collected daily by OMFED is being manufactured at 405 OMFED chilling centers and is being processed at 13 plants.
Being set up on an investment of Rs. 263 crore, the work of the automated milk processing had been awarded to the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). It commenced construction of the plant in November 2018.
OMFED customers could get good quality milk and its byproducts through the establishment of the plant. Besides, the dairy farmers will be able to get a fair price for their milk.
The Government has provided 51 acres of land, including 18.7 acres at Arilo and 32.3 acres at Govindpur, to Odisha State Cooperative Milk Producers Federation (OMFED) for the milk processing plant.
With a capacity of five lakh liter per day, the plant will daily produce 2 lakh liter milk, 30,000 liter curd, 10,000 liter butter milk, 5000 liter lassi, three ton butter, eight ton clarified butter, three ton cheese, 5000 liter flavored milk and 20,000 ton milk powder.
