Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav on Tuesday chaired a state-level Steering Committee meeting in Bhopal under the agreement between the Madhya Pradesh State Cooperative Dairy Federation and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). The discussions focused on expanding the Sanchi brand and strengthening the state’s cooperative dairy ecosystem.
Statewide Push to Expand Sanchi Brand
Addressing the meeting, Dr Yadav said the government aims to expand the Sanchi brand across Madhya Pradesh through coordinated activities from the village to the state level. He emphasised that milk production plays a critical role in increasing farmers’ incomes and should therefore receive sustained policy support.
Accordingly, the state plans to strengthen capacity-building programmes at the grassroots level. These initiatives will focus on improving farmers’ skills, productivity and participation in organised milk procurement.
Focus on Transparent Procurement and Timely Payments
The chief minister emphasised the importance of closely monitoring the milk collection system. He said procurement prices must remain remunerative for producers, while transparency in operations remains essential.
Moreover, he directed officials to ensure that dairy farmers receive payments within defined timelines. Regular and timely payments, he noted, are crucial for maintaining trust in the cooperative model.
NDDB Collaboration Drives Rising Demand
Officials informed the committee that demand for Sanchi milk has increased since NDDB assumed operational responsibility. As a result, several regions have expressed interest in setting up new Sanchi dairies, reflecting improved consumer confidence in the brand.
Digitisation of the Dairy Value Chain
To modernise operations, the state has digitised large parts of the dairy value chain. Software systems are now operational across milk unions in Bhopal, Gwalior, Ujjain, Bundelkhand and Jabalpur.
Additionally, the Indore Milk Union has introduced a mobile application for milk collection. The app provides real-time data on milk quantity, quality and pricing, improving transparency and efficiency.
Higher Milk Prices and Cooperative Expansion
A 10-day payment roster has been introduced to ensure the timely settlement of milk dues. Furthermore, milk procurement prices have increased by ₹2.50 to ₹8.50 per litre, depending on the union.
Since the reform drive began, the state has formed 1,241 new milk cooperative societies and revived 635 inactive societies. These efforts aim to widen farmer participation and strengthen procurement networks.
Ambitious Expansion Targets Ahead
Looking ahead, Madhya Pradesh plans to extend cooperative dairy coverage to 26,000 villages. The government has also initiated steps to restart the Shivpuri dairy plant, which has remained closed for the past two years.
Overall, the NDDB partnership is emerging as a key pillar in Madhya Pradesh’s strategy to boost rural employment, stabilise farmer incomes and build a stronger cooperative dairy sector.
