The Chief Minister, during a visit to Nalanda district, laid the foundation stone for a modern curd and lassi processing plant aimed at expanding the dairy sector in the district. Once operational, the facility will have the capacity to produce 20 metric tonnes of curd and lassi per day. The government said the project is expected to benefit local milk producers, dairy cooperatives and consumers.
Addressing the programme, the Chief Minister said the state was continuously investing in the dairy sector to increase milk production, raise farmers' incomes and strengthen the rural economy. He directed officials to complete the project within the stipulated timeframe and ensure compliance with high-quality standards.
The new dairy unit will use modern machinery to process milk into products such as curd and lassi. Equal emphasis will be placed on packaging and cold chain infrastructure to maintain product quality and ensure safe distribution to markets.
Under the project, 300 deep freezers will also be provided to retail vendors. The deep freezers will enable dairy products to be stored at appropriate temperatures, reducing the risk of spoilage for retailers and helping consumers access fresh, quality dairy products.
According to officials, the project is expected to benefit thousands of milk-producing farmers in nearby districts. Increased procurement of milk from dairy cooperatives is expected to provide farmers with improved market access for their produce. The project is also expected to create new employment opportunities in rural areas and strengthen the dairy industry.
After the plant becomes operational, the local availability of curd and lassi is expected to increase. These products will also be supplied to other districts in the state. Officials said modern processing technology and quality control systems would help extend the shelf life of the products.
Officials present at the programme said the government was continuing to implement new initiatives to strengthen dairy infrastructure. These include expanding milk collection centres, developing cold storage facilities and establishing modern processing units to improve the overall dairy network.
Local farmers and people associated with the dairy business welcomed the project. They said the new plant would increase milk consumption, provide farmers with a regular market and strengthen the rural economy. They also expressed hope that the project would generate more employment opportunities for local youth.
Experts said that if the project is completed on schedule and operates at full capacity, Nalanda could emerge as an important centre for dairy production, benefiting milk producers and consumers across the district and neighbouring areas over the long term.
