In a landmark move to strengthen Uttar Pradesh’s dairy sector and empower farmers, the Government of Uttar Pradesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) on Wednesday.
The agreement was inked in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. This strategic partnership marks a significant step toward modernizing dairy operations, ensuring farmer welfare, and boosting the rural economy.
As per the MoU, the operation of three major dairy plants located in Kanpur, Gorakhpur, and Kannauj, along with a cattle feed production unit in Ambedkar Nagar, has been officially transferred to NDDB. These units were earlier managed by the Pradesh Cooperative Dairy Federation (PCDF).
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized that the dairy sector would become the backbone of Uttar Pradesh’s rural economy.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to increasing farmers’ income, strengthening livestock-based livelihoods, and ensuring the supply of high-quality dairy products to consumers. He also highlighted that if managed scientifically, Uttar Pradesh’s vast livestock resources could make the state a national leader in milk production with a global footprint.
The Chief Minister underlined the significance of women’s empowerment through dairy development, citing inspiring examples like the Balini Milk Producer Company in Jhansi and the increasing involvement of women in districts such as Agra and Gorakhpur. He praised NDDB for supporting inclusive growth and acknowledged the need to revive underutilized dairy plants across the state.
The three key dairy plants being revived are: the Kanpur Dairy Plant, developed at a cost of Rs 160.84 crore with a processing capacity of 4 lakh litres per day; the Gorakhpur Dairy Plant, built with an investment of Rs 61.80 crore with a capacity of 1 lakh litres per day; and the Kannauj Dairy Plant, worth Rs 88.05 crore, also with a 1 lakh litres per day capacity. These plants, though fully constructed, had struggled to operate at full potential due to lack of commercial buyers and high operational costs.
With NDDB now at the helm, these plants are expected to reach full operational capacity, providing sustainable livelihoods to thousands of farmers. The initiative is poised to deliver timely payments, fair milk pricing, and better market access, enhancing the income of milk producers.
This MoU not only paves the way for a robust and self-reliant dairy ecosystem in Uttar Pradesh but also reflects the state’s commitment to inclusive rural development.
By combining government vision with NDDB’s technical expertise, Uttar Pradesh is taking a bold step toward transforming its dairy landscape and empowering its farmers, especially women, at the grassroots level.
In a tweet NDDB Chief Meenesh Shah says “Heartfelt thanks to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Shri Yogi Adityanath ji @myogioffice for his continuous guidance and blessings given during the MoU execution program. NDDB will always work with supporting organizations to take the dairy sector of Uttar Pradesh forward.”
