The Bhopal Cooperative Milk Union is set to strengthen its value-added dairy processing capacity with the inauguration of a new Fermented Product Dairy Plant on October 3. Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate the facility at the premises of the Bhopal Cooperative Milk Union in Madhya Pradesh.
The project has been developed with an investment of ₹16.80 crore and is aimed at modernising dairy processing, expanding the range of milk-based products and strengthening the processing infrastructure of the cooperative dairy sector in the state.
According to the official project details, the Government of India has provided a grant of ₹6 crore for the facility, while the Bhopal Cooperative Milk Union has contributed ₹10.80 crore. The plant has been designed with a milk processing capacity of 40,000 litres per day.
Capacity for Multiple Dairy Products
The new facility will use modern machinery and processing technology to manufacture a range of fermented and value-added dairy products. Its planned daily processing and production capacities include:
| Product | Daily Capacity |
|---|---|
| Milk | 10,000 litres |
| Curd | 10,000 litres |
| Buttermilk | 30,000 litres |
| Lassi | 1,000 litres |
| Shrikhand | 800 kg |
| Mawa | 1,000 kg |
The facility will enable milk, curd and buttermilk to be processed through a more systematic and modernised production system. It will also support the manufacturing of products such as lassi, shrikhand and mawa, expanding the range of value-added products available through the cooperative dairy network.
Focus on Value Addition
The establishment of the plant reflects the increasing focus of dairy cooperatives on moving beyond conventional liquid milk processing and developing products with greater value addition.
Jaidev Biswas, Managing Director of the Bhopal Cooperative Milk Union, described the fermented product dairy plant as an important initiative for modern dairy processing and value addition. He said the facility would support the production of products including curd, buttermilk, lassi, shrikhand and mawa while integrating the cooperative dairy system with modern technology.
The project is expected to complement the existing milk processing infrastructure of the Bhopal Cooperative Milk Union. By adding dedicated capacity for fermented and other value-added products, the facility can provide greater flexibility in processing milk according to market requirements.
Strengthening the Sanchi Product Portfolio
The new plant is also expected to contribute to the expansion of value-added dairy products marketed under the Sanchi brand. Sanchi is the dairy brand associated with the Madhya Pradesh cooperative dairy network.
The additional infrastructure will allow the Bhopal Milk Union to diversify its product portfolio and increase manufacturing capacity for products consumed across different market segments. The ability to process milk into products such as curd, buttermilk, lassi, shrikhand and mawa can also help the cooperative respond to changing consumer demand.
The project combines financial support from the central government with investment from the Bhopal Cooperative Milk Union. This funding structure is intended to strengthen processing infrastructure while supporting the modernisation of cooperative dairy operations.
Supporting Dairy Processing Infrastructure
The plant’s commissioning will add a dedicated facility for fermented dairy products to the existing processing infrastructure of the Bhopal Cooperative Milk Union. Its planned capacity of 40,000 litres of milk processing per day represents an expansion of the union’s ability to manufacture a wider range of products.
The project is therefore positioned as an infrastructure investment focused on processing, product diversification and value addition. Its operations are expected to support the wider milk procurement, processing, production and marketing chain associated with the cooperative dairy system.
With the facility scheduled for inauguration on October 3, the Bhopal Cooperative Milk Union is set to add new processing capabilities to its dairy operations and strengthen the production base for Sanchi value-added milk products in Madhya Pradesh.
