In a pioneering move, Himachal Pradesh has emerged as India’s first state to offer Minimum Support Price (MSP) on milk, setting a transformative precedent in the dairy sector. Over the past two and a half years, the state government has implemented sweeping reforms to uplift livestock farmers, strengthen dairy cooperatives, and build a sustainable rural economy.
Currently, around 38,400 farmers supply 2.25 lakh litres of cow milk daily at Rs 51 per litre, while 1,482 buffalo rearers contribute 7,800 litres at Rs 61 per litre. Goat milk procurement has also begun on a pilot basis at Rs 70 per litre. To ease logistics in hilly regions, a Rs 2/litre transport subsidy supports producers.
Through the Him Ganga Yojana, 268 new dairy cooperatives, including 20 women-led societies, have been formed. The government has earmarked Rs 6 crore annually for cooperative strengthening, aiming for inclusive growth and rural empowerment.