Shimla, June 9 –For rural livelihoods, Himachal Pradesh has become the first Indian state to offer Minimum Support Price (MSP) on milk, with the government procuring 2.25 lakh litres of cow milk daily from over 38,000 farmers at Rs 51 per litre, based on quality standards.
An additional 7,800 litres of buffalo milk is being collected from 1,482 rearers, purchased at Rs 61 per litre, officials said.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the reforms were aimed at building a sustainable dairy ecosystem.
“It is about creating a sustainable ecosystem that values farmers, ensures quality and fosters inclusive growth,” he stated.
To address logistical hurdles in hilly areas, the state is offering Rs 2 per litre transport subsidy, helping small and marginal dairy farmers access markets without added burden.
“It’s not just about milk procurement; it’s about making the entire system inclusive, efficient and empowering,” said a government spokesperson.
Under the Him Ganga Yojana, one of the state’s most ambitious dairy schemes, officials have formed 268 new milk producer co-operatives in Hamirpur and Kangra districts.
- In Kangra, 222 cooperatives have been formed, and in Hamirpur, 46 — including 20 women-led societies, signalling a push towards rural women’s empowerment.
- Already, 5,166 farmers have been linked to these cooperatives, ensuring direct participation in organised production and marketing.
In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the state has also started a pilot project for goat milk procurement, offering Rs 70 per litre. Currently, 15 goat rearers supply 100 litres daily, a number expected to grow as the scheme scales.
These measures reflect the state’s commitment to cooperative dairy development, ensuring that producers across the board — from cow and buffalo rearers to goat farmers — are given fair prices, infrastructural support and market linkages.
Officials said the reforms go beyond production figures and are aimed at building resilience, improving incomes, and modernising the dairy sector in the hilly state.
