Himachal dairy sector booming with govt support; Ghumrala Women’s Dairy Producers Centre in Seraj achieves record sales

MANDI: The Himachal Pradesh government’s initiatives to promote dairy farming are yielding significant results, strengthening the rural economy and empowering dairy farmers.

The Ghumrala Women’s Dairy Producers Centre, operating under the Seraj Assembly constituency’s cooperative society, has reported record-breaking sales of over 3 lakh litres of milk in the financial year 2024-25, generating revenue of approximately ₹1.3 crore.

Farmers and cooperative members have expressed their gratitude to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for the historic increase in the minimum support price (MSP) of milk, which has improved their financial stability and encouraged higher production levels.

Dairy farmers see significant financial gains

The Ghumrala Women’s Dairy Producers and Purchase-Sale Cooperative Society (Jarol) has been a key player in boosting milk production in the region.

Society secretary Sushil Kumar highlighted that the cooperative was established in 2003 with just 7 litres of milk collection on its first day. Despite the challenges, the cooperative persisted and has now grown into a major dairy hub in the Seraj Assembly region.

According to Sushil Kumar, earlier governments increased milk prices by only ₹1 to ₹2 per litre per year, offering minimal support to dairy farmers. However, since 2022, under CM Sukhu’s leadership, the state government has made substantial efforts to uplift farmers, horticulturists and dairy producers.

Recognising the rising costs of animal feed and the hard work of dairy farmers, the government raised the MSP of milk by ₹13 per litre last year, followed by another ₹6 per litre increase in 2025. As a result, the current MSP for cow’s milk stands at ₹51 per litre, while buffalo’s milk is priced at ₹61 per litre.

“The Chief Minister understands the struggles of dairy farmers. His policies have provided much-needed financial relief and boosted milk production across the state,” said Sushil Kumar, thanking CM Sukhu on behalf of the cooperative society.

Dairy centre’s growing success

The Ghumrala Dairy Centre has grown exponentially, now serving over 824 livestock farmers. Farmers bring milk from a distance of 7 to 8 km to the centre, where it is collected, processed and sold.

During the peak season (June-July 2024), the centre collected up to 1,750 litres of milk per day. Over the past year, total sales have crossed ₹3 crore, significantly benefiting local farmers.

Expressing their appreciation for the government’s efforts, farmers Kalyan Singh, Durgee Devi (Chapad village), Shayanu Ram (Chapad village) and Naini Devi (Bajaun village) stated that the MSP hike has directly improved their earnings. Vice-President Kampa Devi and member Hemlata noted that high-fat cow’s milk is now fetching ₹58 to ₹60 per litre at the centre.

Expansion into dairy products

To further boost profitability and for value addition, the cooperative has started producing and selling paneer (cottage cheese), khoya (dried milk solids), ghee (clarified butter), curd and kulfi (frozen dessert). These new product lines are expected to enhance revenue and create more business opportunities for local farmers.

Additionally, the cooperative society has set aside a reserve fund of ₹40,000, which is used to provide financial assistance to dairy farmers in need. This initiative aims to support small-scale farmers who may face financial difficulties in running their dairy businesses.

Munish Sood