Medak: Sabar Dairy, which markets its products under the Amul brand, is expected to begin operations at its upcoming milk processing plant in Toopran, Telangana, within 18 months, Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy said.
Reddy made the remarks after laying the foundation stone for the Rs 400-crore dairy processing project on Sunday. The plant is expected to strengthen Telangana’s dairy sector, create employment opportunities and provide greater support to farmers through the cooperative dairy model.
The project is being viewed as an important investment for strengthening milk processing infrastructure in the State and expanding opportunities for dairy farmers. Reddy said the facility would particularly benefit women and local youth by generating employment and improving opportunities within the dairy value chain.
Focus on Dairy Cooperatives
Welcoming the establishment of the Sabar Dairy facility, Reddy said stronger cooperative structures could play an important role in revitalising Telangana’s dairy industry.
According to the minister, existing milk procurement societies in the State have weakened over time, which has affected the development of the dairy sector. He expressed hope that the new plant would help strengthen the cooperative ecosystem and create a more organized procurement network for milk producers.
Sabar Dairy’s association with the Amul brand is expected to provide farmers with access to an established cooperative framework. The model is designed to connect milk producers with collection, processing and marketing infrastructure while enabling farmers to participate more directly in the dairy value chain.
Reddy also encouraged farmers in Telangana to establish cooperative societies with Amul’s support. He pointed to dairy cooperative systems in Gujarat and Maharashtra as examples of how organized farmer participation can contribute to rural economic development.
Potential Benefits for Women Farmers
The project is also expected to create opportunities for women involved in dairy farming. Livestock ownership and milk production provide an important source of supplementary income for many rural households, while cooperative networks can provide farmers with more structured access to milk procurement and markets.
Reddy said the expansion of the cooperative model could help farmers, particularly women, become financially stronger. Greater participation in organized dairy procurement could potentially improve access to reliable markets while supporting the development of local employment around milk collection and processing.
The creation of local jobs is another expected benefit of the Toopran project. The plant is expected to generate employment opportunities for local youth, adding an industrial component to the region’s agricultural economy.
State Government Offers Support
Telangana IT and Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu said the State government would provide all possible support to Amul for the project.
The cooperation between the State government and the dairy company could help facilitate the development of the processing facility and associated infrastructure. A modern milk processing plant can also support expansion in milk collection, transportation, storage and value-added dairy products.
The foundation stone ceremony was attended by Labour Minister G Vivekananda, Medak MP M Raghunandan Rao, Medak Collector Prathima Singh and other officials and representatives.
Strengthening Telangana’s Dairy Sector
The planned Sabar Dairy facility comes at a time when Telangana’s dairy sector is seeking stronger procurement systems and greater processing capacity. Increasing organized milk collection and processing can help connect farmers with larger markets while supporting the production and distribution of dairy products.
For farmers, the long-term impact of the project will depend on the development of an effective cooperative network around the plant. Consistent milk procurement, transparent farmer payments and accessible support services will be important factors in determining how widely the benefits reach rural communities.
With an investment of Rs 400 crore and an expected operational timeline of 18 months, the Toopran plant represents a significant addition to Telangana’s dairy infrastructure. If the cooperative model expands alongside the facility, the project could play a role in strengthening milk procurement, creating rural employment and improving opportunities for dairy farmers across the State.