Avinash Azad
The dairy sector in Pulwama is witnessing an unprecedented surge in milk production, raising concerns over its processing capacity. On Thursday’s assembly session, Justice Hasnain Masoodi, MLA Pampore, questioned the government regarding the massive milk production in Pulwama district and its underutilized processing potential.
According to the official response from the Jammu and Kashmir administration, Pulwama district produces approximately 7.45 lakh litres of milk per day during the peak flush season, with Pampore constituency alone exceeding 1.5 lakh litres daily in the summer months. However, only a fraction of this milk is being processed, leaving vast potential untapped.
Processing Capacity Falls Short
Despite being the largest contributor to processed milk in Kashmir, Pulwama faces a significant gap in its dairy processing capabilities. Presently, JKMPCL (Jammu & Kashmir Milk Producers Cooperative Limited) processes 20,300 litres per day, while leading milk plants like Haleeb, Zamzam, and Khyber together process around 60,000 litres per day.
Additionally, 15,000 to 20,000 litres of loose milk are lifted daily and supplied to Srinagar. However, these figures remain inadequate compared to the district’s total production.
Government Schemes and Proposed Expansion
To address this gap, several government schemes are in place. The Integrated Dairy Development Scheme (IDDS) offers up to 50% subsidy on establishing milk processing and value addition units, including:
– Rs 15 lakh for Modular Milk Pasteurization and Packaging units.
– Rs 5 lakh for Bulk Milk Cooling Units (BMCs).
– Rs 1.5 lakh for Automatic Milk Collection Units (AMCUs).
– Rs 3.5 lakh for Paneer, Khoya, Dahi, Ice Cream, Butter, Ghee, and Cheese processing units.
– Rs 5 lakh for Milk ATMs.
Additionally, under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), Self Help Groups (SHGs) receive Rs 20 lakh in incentives for setting up milk value addition startups, along with Rs 2 lakh as working capital and Rs 3 lakh as a 50% subsidy for vehicles.
Future Expansion Plans
Currently, JKMPCL processes 2.5 lakh litres per day, but plans are underway to expand its capacity to 5 lakh litres per day within the next five years with government support through NABARD and the Centrally Sponsored National Programme for Dairy Development (CSS-NPDD). Additionally, under the Cluster Development Project of HADP, an extra 5 lakh litres per day processing capacity will be added, further boosting the dairy sector in J&K.
Industrial Estate Proposal for Milk Processing Denied
Despite the push for increased milk processing, there is currently no proposal for a dedicated Industrial Estate in Kakapora block to set up milk-processing units. However, the government aims to increase J&K’s milk processing capacity by 5 lakh litres per day through the establishment of two mega milk processing facilities—one in Pulwama and one in Jammu—as part of Project 22 (UT-level Food Processing Program) under HADP.
The Road Ahead With ambitious expansion plans and substantial government support, Pulwama is set to cement its position as the dairy hub of Kashmir. However, experts emphasize the need for accelerated infrastructure development and private sector participation to fully harness the district’s milk production potential and prevent wastage. As the dairy sector in Pulwama continues to grow, will processing capacity keep pace with production? Only time will tell.
