Kolkata: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday laid the foundation stone for the world’s largest curd manufacturing plant under the Amul Bengal Dairy Project in Howrah, West Bengal. The project is being developed by the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which markets dairy products under the Amul brand.
The foundation ceremony was held virtually from the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre in New Town, where West Bengal Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari and senior officials of GCMMF were present.
The upcoming dairy facility is expected to become a major milestone for the state’s dairy sector by strengthening milk processing capacity and providing new opportunities for dairy farmers.
₹700 Crore Amul Dairy Plant to Process 30 Lakh Litres of Milk Daily
The new GCMMF dairy plant is being established at the Howrah Food Park with an investment of around ₹700 crore.
According to the official statement, the facility will have the capacity to:
- Process around 30 lakh litres of milk every day.
- Produce nearly 1,000 tonnes of curd and other cultured dairy products daily.
- Become the world’s largest curd manufacturing facility after completion.
The project aims to expand dairy processing infrastructure in West Bengal and promote value-added dairy production.
Project to Benefit Over 1.25 Lakh Dairy Farmers in West Bengal
The Amul Bengal Dairy Project is expected to provide significant benefits to milk producers across the state.
The initiative will support:
- More than 1.25 lakh milk-producing farmers.
- Over 30,000 women dairy producers.
- Better market access for milk suppliers.
- Stronger dairy cooperative networks.
The facility will provide farmers with a stable market for their milk production and encourage greater participation in the dairy sector.
Amit Shah Highlights Growth of Dairy Sector and Bengal Development
Addressing the event, Amit Shah linked the project with the cultural identity of West Bengal, referring to the state’s famous “Mishti Doi” (sweet curd) tradition.
He said the new dairy project represents a step towards development and economic growth in the state.
Shah also highlighted the importance of strengthening local industries, farmer income, and cooperative-based development models.
Amul Project to Strengthen Dairy Infrastructure in West Bengal
The new plant is part of efforts to improve dairy infrastructure and increase milk processing capabilities in West Bengal.
The project is expected to help in:
- Expanding milk collection networks.
- Increasing dairy product manufacturing.
- Promoting value addition in the dairy sector.
- Creating employment opportunities linked to dairy processing.
- Supporting rural economic growth.
The facility will also help meet rising demand for dairy products in eastern India and other markets.
Focus on Women Dairy Producers and Rural Livelihoods
A key objective of the project is to empower rural communities, especially women involved in milk production.
By providing a reliable market and stronger cooperative support, the initiative aims to improve:
- Household income for dairy farmers.
- Participation of women in rural entrepreneurship.
- Financial stability of milk-producing communities.
The project is expected to contribute to sustainable livelihood generation in rural West Bengal.
Amul’s Expansion Strengthens Cooperative Dairy Model
The project reflects the expansion of India’s cooperative dairy movement and the growing focus on modern milk processing facilities.
Through the Amul Bengal Dairy Project, GCMMF aims to combine advanced dairy technology with farmer-centric development, creating a stronger dairy ecosystem in West Bengal.
Once completed, the Howrah plant is expected to emerge as a landmark dairy facility and a major contributor to the state’s agricultural and rural economy.
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