The Madhya Pradesh Cooperative Dairy Federation (MPCDF) is collaborating with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to revive financially troubled Gwalior and Jabalpur milk unions. NDDB is preparing a comprehensive business plan to modernize infrastructure, improve milk collection, and boost farmer participation.
The Madhya Pradesh Cooperative Dairy Federation (MPCDF) is on a path to revitalize its financially troubled Gwalior and Jabalpur milk unions with support from the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). NDDB is working on a detailed business plan expected by the end of August, aimed at modernizing and strengthening these critical dairy operations.
Background
In July, MPCDF and NDDB formalized their collaboration through a memorandum of understanding. This partnership is focused on addressing the significant financial and operational challenges facing the Gwalior and Jabalpur milk unions. NDDB’s role includes providing technical guidance and leveraging its extensive experience in dairy management to enhance the performance of these units.
NDDB’s Business Plan
The upcoming business plan from NDDB is anticipated to cover several crucial aspects:
- Upgrading Facilities: The plan will involve modernizing processing and chilling infrastructure. This includes enhancing the efficiency of existing facilities and installing new technology to streamline operations.
- Improving Milk Collection: Addressing the issue of suboptimal milk collection, currently at 22,000-25,000 liters daily for Gwalior, with around 18,000 liters going into packaged milk. Problems such as quality concerns and farmer disinterest, compounded by competition from other states, will be tackled to boost collection rates.
- Enhancing Farmer Participation: Strategies will be implemented to increase farmer engagement with the cooperative system. This includes providing better incentives and addressing issues that lead farmers to sell their milk elsewhere.
- Strengthening Value Addition: The plan will also focus on improving the value-added product lines, including the utilization of the existing powder plant and expanding product offerings.
- Building Infrastructure: The project aims to enhance milk transportation systems, marketing infrastructure, and ICT solutions. This includes introducing blockchain technology for better traceability and developing training centers to support skill development in the dairy sector.
- Encouraging Innovation and Sustainability: NDDB will promote research and development in dairy technologies and renewable energy solutions to ensure long-term sustainability and efficiency.
Financial Challenges
The Gwalior and Jabalpur milk unions have been grappling with financial issues due to inefficiencies and insufficient milk collection. NDDB’s involvement is crucial for addressing these challenges. Dr. Satish Kumar, Managing Director of MPCDF, expressed confidence that with NDDB’s expertise, the milk unions will overcome their financial difficulties and emerge as successful models for other cooperatives.
Expected Outcomes
The business plan is designed not only to revive the troubled milk unions but also to set new standards for efficiency and profitability in the cooperative dairy sector. By implementing best practices and innovative solutions, NDDB aims to transform the Gwalior and Jabalpur units into benchmarks of success.
Broader Implications
The successful execution of the business plan could have far-reaching implications for the dairy industry in Madhya Pradesh and beyond. It is expected to enhance the overall efficiency of dairy operations, improve livelihoods for dairy farmers, and contribute to the growth of the state’s dairy sector. The initiative may also serve as a model for similar efforts in other regions facing comparable challenges.
The partnership between MPCDF and NDDB represents a significant opportunity to modernize the dairy industry in Madhya Pradesh. With a focus on upgrading infrastructure, improving milk collection, and fostering farmer participation, this initiative is set to drive sustainable growth and enhance the dairy sector’s overall performance in the state.
