Union Home Minister Amit Shah on May 01, 2026, announced new dairy infrastructure projects in Ladakh and Kargil, focusing on improving farmer incomes and supply systems in high-altitude regions. The announcement was made during official events in Leh and Kargil.

Leh Plant And Kargil Unit Confirmed

A key project includes a proposed milk processing plant in Leh with a capacity of about 50,000 litres per day and an estimated cost of ₹70 crore. A separate dairy plant with 10,000 litres per day capacity is being developed in Kargil.

Officials also confirmed plans for cattle breeding centres and mobile milk testing units. These initiatives aim to improve productivity and maintain quality standards in extreme weather conditions.

Procurement Network And Farmer Data Verified

Government data indicates that Ladakh’s dairy network currently covers 28 villages. Daily milk procurement is around 6,000 litres, with plans to increase it to 21,000 litres.

Integration with the National Dairy Development Board has supported expansion of cooperative systems. Digital tools like Automated Milk Collection Systems are being introduced to improve transparency in payments and data tracking.

National Milk Output Growth Backed By Data

Shah stated that India’s milk production increased from 143 million tonnes in 2014–15 to about 248 million tonnes in 2024–25. This reflects nearly 70% growth over a decade.

The Ladakh initiatives align with broader national efforts to expand dairy infrastructure and cooperative networks.