Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has unveiled an ambitious plan to establish milk procurement centres in every panchayat under the Kheera Dhara Mission, aimed at providing a convenient platform for farmers to sell milk locally.
Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Minister Gokulanand Mallik announced the initiative following a review meeting of the Odisha State Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation (OMFED). The move is set to boost the dairy sector by empowering farmers with local avenues for milk sales, ensuring timely payments through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanisms.
Currently, 20 milk procurement centres are operational, with plans to add 27–28 more within a month. Additionally, the state will see the establishment of new OMFED parlours at various locations to meet rising public demand.
OMFED has also begun supplying ghee to the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, with a production capacity exceeding 8 tons per day. The Minister emphasized OMFED’s readiness to offer ghee at wholesale prices to the temple while highlighting plans to establish new dairy plants in Sambalpur, Ganjam, and Balasore to bolster milk and ghee production.
In a bid to diversify its product offerings, OMFED is set to begin manufacturing water pouches, ice cream, and chocolates at its various plants, catering to the growing consumer demand across the state.
The Kheera Dhara Mission aligns with Odisha’s broader goal of strengthening its dairy infrastructure and supporting farmers. By decentralizing milk procurement and expanding production capabilities, the state is positioning itself as a key player in the dairy industry while ensuring farmers and consumers benefit from improved access and quality.
