SRINAGAR:Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a high-level review meeting on the Jammu & Kashmir Dairy Processing Infrastructure Development Scheme (JKDPIDS), a ₹1,433 crore initiative designed to transform the region’s dairy sector into a strong, organized, and globally competitive industry.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister emphasized the immense potential of the dairy industry in Jammu & Kashmir. He highlighted the critical need to increase organized milk processing from the current 4% to at least 20% over the next seven years, aiming to provide better prices, timely payments, and improved market access for more than 500,000 dairy farmers.
Principal Secretary of the Agriculture Production Department, Shailendra Kumar, presented a comprehensive overview of the scheme, which is being implemented by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) as the nodal agency. The plan includes the establishment of 10 automated milk processing plants across 18 districts (excluding Srinagar and Jammu), expanding milk collection and chilling capacity to 10 lakh liters per day (LLPD), setting up 100 milk testing laboratories, and forming 10,000 farmer-owned dairy cooperatives.
Deputy Commissioners have been directed to immediately identify and transfer 40–50 kanals of encumbrance-free land for each proposed processing plant. The Chief Minister stressed the importance of close inter-departmental collaboration to ensure the timely provision of essential infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and water to the project sites.
Omar Abdullah also urged NDDB and the Animal Husbandry Department to expedite agreements on sexed semen production and fodder development, aimed at boosting productivity at the grassroots level. Additionally, he called on NABARD to ensure the prompt release of funds and maintain strict financial oversight. All involved departments were instructed to adhere strictly to project timelines, with quarterly progress reviews to be conducted at the state level.
The Chief Minister underscored the scheme’s potential impact, stating that it would significantly increase cooperative turnover, generate thousands of rural and skilled jobs, and guarantee the supply of hygienic, export-ready milk. He described the initiative as more than just a sectoral upgrade — it represents a transformative economic opportunity for rural Jammu & Kashmir. “Our dairy sector can become a cornerstone of rural prosperity and a key driver of export excellence,” he remarked, urging all stakeholders to act with urgency and precision.
The meeting was attended by Agriculture Production Minister Javid Ahmad Dar, Chief Minister’s Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, Additional Chief Secretary Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary APD, Principal Secretary Finance, Vice Chancellor SKUAST Jammu, Director of Animal Husbandry, and representatives from NABARD, NDDB, SA&P Group, and other relevant officials.
