Kathua, Oct 08: J&K Dairy Farming Association (JKDFA) on Saturday in an impressive programme in Kathua welcomed Dr. Rajiv Pal Singh Thakur Head, Fresh Milk Procurement & Dairy Development (FMPDD), Nestle India Ltd.
Dr.Inderjit Singh Gatoria Regional Manager – Amritsar Region, FMPDD Nestle India Ltd.Dr. Sukhbir Singh Senior Executive – Amritsar FMPDD Nestle India Ltd for their announcement to open Fresh Milk Procurement centre in Jammu at initial stage and then in other parts of J&K in later stage.
Kulbhushan Khajuria JKDFA President, Tarun Kumar General Secretary, Sukhdev Singh Treasurer, SK Sharma Legal Head ,Sandeep Chib Provincial President, Bhupinder Singh Bindu, Joint Secretary, CaptDaler Singh ManhasInchargeAkhnoorJourian, Sunil Sharma District President Samba,Mintu Sharma District President Kathua, Anil Manhas, Kali Sharma, Surjit Singh Kala border belt incharge Sai Khurd and Pitamber Sharma who were present in the programme along with nearly 500 dairy farmers termed the decision historical and revolutionary step for betterment of dairy farmers in Jammu region.
Speaking on the occasion, Khajuria said that Nestle India Ltd decision to open fresh milk procurement centre in Jammu will definitely help the region achieve self-sufficiency in dairy products.He said the local dairy cooperatives in J&K may be provided handholding on the technical, administrative and procurement side to reduce their dependence on dairy products sourced from outside.The initiative will help the region to develop dairy sector with sustainable livelihood in rural areas based on Nestle pattern. And we’ll provide whatever help is needed in replicating the Nestle model,” Khajuria said. “It is clear that they have good amounts of consumption of dairy products. So, using the Nestle model, if they procure locally, process locally and add value locally, it will be a great achievement,” Khajuria said.
Khajuria further said that the dairy sector in J&K, for decades, was considered as a business with low remuneration, costly milk production and competition from private dairy players. This was the key reason behind farmers losing interest in animal husbandry.
However, Khajuriaobserved that with the Nestle intervention, the dairy sector here will get a leg up not just for milk procurement but also in product innovation and market access. Currently, there are facilities to make milk, curd and buttermilk. But soon, new manufacturing facilities will be set up to produce paneer (cottage cheese), flavoured milk, ice cream and UHT Milk (packaged milk).
Dr. Rajiv Pal Singh Thakur Head, Fresh Milk Procurement & Dairy Development (FMPDD), Nestle India Ltd speaking on the occasion said that our relationships are based on the understanding that our investments must result in long term sustainable growth and economic and social progress for the community as well.
