Cuttack: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday inaugurated the state-of-the-art mega milk processing plant of Omfed at Arilo in Cuttack district.
The Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department has set up the mega plant at a cost of Rs 263 crore. It is the biggest dairy plant in the State which has the capacity to process around five lakh litre milk per day.
The plant will produce curd, milk, butter, cheese, lassi, ghee and flavoured milk to consumers at an affordable price.
Inaugurating the facility, the Chief Minister said, “Omfed belongs to our farmers and is the contribution of over three lakh people of the community. The plant will help millions of milk producers by enhancing their income capacity.”
The State Government always stands with them. The plant will help millions of milk producers and enhance their income capacity, he said.
Mr.Patnaik said a target has been fixed to increase the daily production capacity of milk in the state to 10 lakh litres.
During the last two decades the milk production in the state has increased three times. The milk production in 2000 was 8.75 lakh to which increased to 23.70 lakh ton in 2020.
At present five lakh litres of milk collected by Omfed daily is being processed in 13 plants. The Arilo plant will process five lakh litres of milk daily and two lakh litres of milk powder would be produced from the plant.
He appealed to people to work unitedly and cooperate with the Government to bring White Revolution by increasing the milk production in the State.
Omfed is the organisation of lakhs of dairy farmers of the state. Every dairy farmer has contributed to the development of Omfed.
The State Government is providing subsidies up to Rs 50 lakh to set up a dairy farm and processing unit in the state. He appealed to farmers to take advantage of it and become a partner in the development of the State.
After inaugurating the plant, the Chief Minister went on a trip around the mega dairy plant. During this, the CM halted and was offered sweet curd by Omfed officials.
After testing it, Naveen said, “Excellent……….we must order this.”
Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Arun Kumar Sahoo also spoke at the event.
