Amit Shah Launches Major Dairy and Cooperative Push in Ladakh

Shah emphasised the transformative potential of dairy cooperatives, particularly for women’s economic empowerment.

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah has unveiled a sweeping expansion of dairy infrastructure and cooperative initiatives in Ladakh, signalling a major push to transform the Union Territory into a self-reliant, high-altitude hub for livestock-based livelihoods and rural enterprise.

The initiatives, launched during a high-level visit to Leh and Kargil, form part of the Centre's broader strategy to strengthen the cooperative movement, enhance farmer incomes and integrate remote regions into national markets.

Senior Union Ministers, including Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries), Ministers of State Shri S. P. Singh Baghel and Shri George Kurian, along with Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Shri Vinay Kumar Saxena, were present at the event.

₹25 Crore Kargil Dairy Plant to Empower Women and Boost Rural Economy

A key highlight of the visit was the foundation stone laying for a 10,000 litres per day (10 TLPD) dairy plant in Kargil, a ₹25 crore project expected to significantly boost local milk production and rural incomes.

Shah emphasised the transformative potential of dairy cooperatives, particularly for women's economic empowerment.

"Women in Kargil can bring prosperity into their lives through this dairy plant, support their families and become self-reliant," he said, drawing parallels with successful cooperative models elsewhere in India that have generated turnovers exceeding ₹1.25 lakh crore.

The project is expected to:

• Create sustainable income streams for local households

• Strengthen women-led cooperative participation

• Support nutrition and local consumption needs

In Leh, he noted that daily milk production has already commenced at an existing plant, marking early operational success in the region's dairy expansion efforts.

Expanding Dairy Infrastructure: ₹70 Crore Mega Plant Planned

Looking ahead, the government has announced plans to establish a 50,000 litres per day dairy plant in Leh, with an investment of approximately ₹70 crore.

This large-scale facility will complement the Kargil plant and support growing milk production as livestock numbers increase.

The expansion strategy includes:

• Introduction of high-yield livestock breeds suited to Ladakh's extreme climate

• Annual distribution of around 500 improved animals

• A long-term plan to triple livestock population over the next decade

Given Ladakh's harsh conditions — including low oxygen levels and extreme cold — the initiative will rely on research-driven breeding and adaptive livestock management.

Army and ITBP Demand to Anchor Dairy Market

A critical demand anchor for the dairy ecosystem will be the Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), with approximately 18,000 personnel stationed in the region.

Shah noted that the dairy plants will cater to their requirements for milk and milk products such as curd and paneer, ensuring a stable institutional market for local producers.

Digital and Quality Innovations Introduced

In a move to modernise the sector, several technology-driven initiatives were launched, including:

• A ₹45 lakh mobile laboratory to ensure milk quality testing

• An Android-based Automated Milk Collection System (AMCS) app, enabling farmers to track payments and transactions transparently

These innovations aim to:

• Improve product quality standards

• Enhance transparency and farmer trust

• Streamline procurement systems

National Market Access Through Mother Dairy Partnership

A major breakthrough in market linkage was achieved through an agreement between the Ladakh Milk Federation and Mother Dairy, connecting local producers to national supply chains.

The initiative will:

• Enable Ladakh's organic dairy products to reach major markets such as Delhi

• Facilitate reverse market access for established dairy brands in Ladakh

• Strengthen cooperative-based marketing channels

Shah also called for a tripartite MoU involving the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and the National Cooperative Organic Limited to further scale market access for Ladakh's products.

Scaling Production: Tripling Procurement Targets

The government has set ambitious production targets, aiming to increase daily milk procurement from 7,000 kilolitres to 21,000 kilolitres within four years — a threefold expansion designed to significantly enhance farmer incomes.

Additionally:

• Existing plant capacity has already been doubled from 5 TLPD to 10 TLPD

• Cooperative networks have expanded to 28 villages with 1,700 milk producers

NDDB has been tasked with further expanding this network across viable regions.

India's Dairy Sector Growth: A National Success Story

Highlighting the broader context, Shah noted India's remarkable progress in dairy production:

• Milk output increased from 146 million tonnes in 2014–15 to 248 million tonnes in 2024–25

• A 70% increase in just 10 years, with half the growth occurring in the last five years

• Per capita milk availability rising from 307 grams to 485 grams per day

This growth has been driven by:

• 2.36 lakh cooperative societies

• Nearly 2 crore milk producers

The government has set a target to establish 75,000 new milk cooperatives, with 21,000 already formed, while modernising 46,000 existing ones.

Broader Development Push in Ladakh

Shah also highlighted the rapid infrastructure and governance transformation in Ladakh since it became a Union Territory in 2019.

Key developments include:

• Road network expansion from 1,800 km to 4,040 km

• Increase in bridges from 19 to 72

• Mobile towers rising from 344 to 653

• Electrified villages increasing to 184

• Budget expansion from ₹1,000 crore to ₹6,000 crore

Major infrastructure projects such as the Zoji La tunnel, Shinkula tunnel and a new civilian airport are also underway, alongside improvements in digital connectivity and education infrastructure.

Cooperatives at the Core of Self-Reliance Strategy

Shah emphasised that cooperatives will play a central role in Ladakh's economic future, extending beyond dairy to sectors such as:

• Pashmina production

• Organic farming

• Honey production

The overarching goal, he said, is to build a self-reliant border economy while improving livelihoods and reducing dependence on external supply chains.

A Strategic Vision for High-Altitude Economic Transformation

The initiatives launched during the visit reflect a comprehensive strategy combining:

• Infrastructure investment

• Cooperative expansion

• Technology integration

• Market connectivity

As Ladakh continues its transition as a Union Territory, the dairy and livestock sector is emerging as a key driver of inclusive growth — particularly in remote and high-altitude communities.

Shah concluded by acknowledging the resilience and patriotism of Ladakh's people, noting their critical role in safeguarding the nation's borders and contributing to its development.