The dairy sector in Bihar’s Champaran region is set for a major expansion with a proposed Rs 350-crore dairy plant having a milk processing capacity of 4 lakh litres per day. The project was highlighted at the Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fishery Entrepreneur Development Fair in Motihari, where National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) Chairman Dr Shah Meenesh participated in the presence of Member of Parliament Radha Mohan Singh and Bihar Government Secretary Sheershat Kapil Ashok.
The proposed plant is expected to strengthen milk processing, marketing and local supply chains while creating direct and indirect employment opportunities. It will also support the region’s growing milk collection network and generate additional economic activity in transportation, procurement, processing and allied services.
Dr Shah said the Bapudham Milk Producer Organization, launched in 2017 with NDDB’s support, was established to provide Champaran’s dairy farmers fair milk prices, assured markets and ownership of their producer organisation. The organisation now collects around 1.5 lakh litres of milk daily from more than 1,500 villages across Champaran and adjoining districts. More than 67,000 farmers are associated with it, while over Rs 1,000 crore has been transferred directly into farmers’ bank accounts since its inception against milk supplies.
With milk collection continuing to rise, expansion of processing capacity has become increasingly important. The proposed dairy plant is therefore expected to provide a stronger institutional market for producers while supporting the development of a more integrated dairy value chain in the region.
The event also underlined the importance of improving animal productivity. Singh said breed improvement efforts would be undertaken in 300 villages of Champaran with the objective of raising the productivity of animals. The initiative aims to increase average milk yields through better breeding practices and improved livestock genetics.
NDDB is simultaneously working to strengthen dairy cooperatives at the village level in Bihar. Efforts include expanding automatic milk collection systems, bulk milk coolers and other technical infrastructure in existing dairy societies, with support from COMFED.
Artificial insemination and breeding services are also being strengthened. Alongside the existing semen station at Purnia, a new facility is being established in Bihar where sex-sorted semen will be available in addition to conventional semen, helping improve breeding outcomes and the genetic potential of dairy animals.
Ashok said Champaran has considerable potential in dairy and fisheries and that efforts are being made under the Bihar Government’s Seven Resolves-3 and the Centre’s ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi’ vision to establish dairy cooperative societies in every village and expand Sudha sales centres.
NDDB, Mother Dairy, Bapudham Milk Producer Organization and other partners are working together to strengthen infrastructure, technology, market access and income opportunities for dairy farmers and livestock rearers across Champaran.
