Gopal Dairy to set up cattle feed plant

The Rajkot District Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union, popularly known as Gopal Dairy is planning to set up a cattle feed plant and expand its existing capacities with an investment of Rs 35 crore.

The union, a member of Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which sells Amul brand of milk products, aims to improve its milk procurement significantly. The dairy is likely to invest Rs 35 crores for new plant and capacity expansions. The union will fund the expansion through internal accruals and it will also seek government assistance.

Presently, Gopal Dairy purchases cattle feed from Kaira-based Amul dairy, Surat-based Sumul Dairy and Godhara-based Panchamrut dairy.

Given the increase in milk procurement and inconsistent supplies of cattle feed the dairy requires a cattle feed plant.

"The final blueprint is being prepared. Our milk procurement is on rise and we aim to enhance it further. Our milk procurement will touch 3.5 lakh litres during peak season. Given the rise in milk procurement, we need a cattle feed plant. The manufacturing capacity of the plant is likely to be 100 metric tonnes per day. We are also increasing our processing capacity," said Ashish Chandra Sinha, managing director, Gopal Dairy.

The dairy also plans to encourage women-managed milk producers' societies.

Currently, the dairy has around 540 milk producers' societies, out of which over 50 percent societies are managed by women. An additional 50 societies will be added in 2009.

The dairy also plans to double capacity of its chilling centres in Jamkandorana by 30,000 litre per day to 60,000 litre per day and Majewadi by 25,000 to 50,000 litres per day.

“We are setting up a new chilling center in Vankaner of 1 lakh litre per day,” he said.