The Punjab State Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation (Milkfed Verka) is set to invest INR10bn ($179.84m) to establish four mega milk plants in the state.
The move is aimed at positioning Verka products as the largest selling brand by expanding Milkfed. Each plant will get INR2.5bn ($44.99m) as investment.
Expansion plans under this investment include encouraging dairy sector, setting up organized dairy farms, re-orienting procurement of raw milk, scientific collection and chilling chain, ultra modern milk processing facilities, value addition of milk products and effective marketing network to exploit the brand image of Verka.
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said: "We have to increase the processing capacity four-fold and these plants should be of international standards with ISO 9002 specifications."
Singh has also approved a specialized scheme for encouraging women in the dairy sector by offering subsidized loan to set up farms, technical knowhow for setting up of dairy farms and support to those units by providing veterinary care and farm feed to dairy entrepreneurs.
Milkfed produces milk & milk products including fresh milk, fresh drinks, skimmed milk powder and others.
