Amit Shah launches dairy, cooperative push in Ladakh

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Friday laid the foundation stone and inaugurated a series of dairy infrastructure and cooperative initiatives in Ladakh, aiming to boost local livelihoods and strengthen the region’s rural economy.

At Kargil, Shah laid the foundation stone for a ₹25 crore dairy plant with a processing capacity of 10,000 litres per day. He said the project would empower women in the region by providing sustainable income opportunities and helping them achieve self-reliance.

Highlighting the role of technology, Shah also launched an Android-based EMCS app that will enable milk producers to transparently track their milk accounts on a single platform, enhancing trust and efficiency in the cooperative system.

A key highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ladakh Milk Federation and Mother Dairy. The agreement is expected to expand the reach of Ladakh’s dairy products to national markets, ensuring better returns for local producers.

Shah said that the dairy sector in Ladakh will be further strengthened with plans to set up a larger 50,000 litres per day plant in Leh at a cost of ₹70 crore. He added that efforts are underway to introduce high-yield livestock suited to Ladakh’s extreme climatic conditions and to significantly increase milk production in the coming years.

Citing national progress, he noted that India’s milk production has risen from 146 million tonnes in 2014–15 to 248 million tonnes in 2024–25, marking a 70 percent increase under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The minister also announced plans to expand the cooperative movement in Ladakh by establishing societies focused on pashmina, organic products, and honey, aiming to diversify income sources for local communities.

Referring to Ladakh’s development since becoming a Union Territory in 2019, Shah said the region has witnessed a six-fold increase in budget allocation to ₹6,000 crore, along with significant improvements in infrastructure, connectivity, and public services. He also highlighted the recognition of five new districts and five official languages in the region.

Shah added that the Sindhu Infrastructure Development Corporation will play a crucial role in accelerating industrial growth and making Ladakh more self-reliant.

Paying tribute to the people of Ladakh, he said their courage and sacrifices in safeguarding the nation’s borders are deeply valued and respected across the country.