Punjab | June 21, 2025
In a significant boost to Punjab’s rural dairy economy, a Milk Chilling Centre (MCC) with a 30,000-litre per day capacity was inaugurated in Rurkee Kalan, District Malerkotla, on June 21, 2025. This facility is designed to directly benefit hundreds of dairy farmers from nearby villages by ensuring the quality preservation, fair pricing, and timely milk procurement.
🌾 Empowering Rural Livelihoods through Infrastructure
The MCC inauguration was led by Dr. Parikshit Kumar Bagchi, a visionary in agricultural and rural development, who emphasised the critical role of infrastructure in enabling smallholder farmers to thrive.
“Integrating modern infrastructure into the rural fabric is not just about technology—it’s about empowering farmers, enhancing incomes, and building sustainable, cost-effective dairy systems,”
said Dr. Bagchi during his address.
Also present was Dr. Navdeep Kumar, Chief Executive of Baani Milk Producer Company Limited, who played a key role in bringing this project to fruition. He highlighted how such community-driven models are pivotal for reaching even the most remote milk-producing regions.
“This MCC demonstrates what collaboration, innovation, and commitment to rural upliftment can achieve. It ensures that quality milk from remote farmers reaches processing centres efficiently,”
said Dr. Kumar.
🧊 Key Facility Highlights
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Location | Rurkee Kalan, Dist. Malerkotla |
| Capacity | 30,000 litres per day |
| Promoter | Baani Milk Producer Company Limited |
| Commissioned by | Dr. Parikshit Kumar Bagchi & Dr. Navdeep Kumar |
| Beneficiaries | Local dairy farmers across nearby villages |
🤝 Building Self-Reliance, One Village at a Time
This MCC is part of a broader strategy to decentralise milk collection and reduce spoilage while strengthening the supply chain from village to market. With improved chilling and storage, farmers are expected to see better returns and fewer post-harvest losses.
Together, this project reflects a shared vision: to build a stronger, self-reliant rural India.
