Leh, May 12: Secretary, Cooperative Department, UT Ladakh, Ravinder Kumar chaired a meeting on the road map for functionalisation of the milk pasteurisation plant and strengthening of milk cooperative federation/unions in UT Ladakh in the hall of the Deputy Commissioner, Leh on 10 May.

Chief Animal Husbandry Officer, Leh briefed the meeting agenda points. The agenda points discussed were the design of a logo for the Ladakh Milk Federation (LMF); purchase of film; purchase of milk for the trial of the plant; registration under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India(FASSAI); quantity of milk to be procured/purchased on monthly basis; registration under National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India (NCDFI); construction of pending works of the plant to be completed by Animal Husbandry Department, Leh; types of machinery to be provided by Deputy Registrar Cooperative Department, Leh; monitoring committee under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner, Leh.

Regarding the logo for LMF, the Secretary directed the concerned officials to design a logo within ten days and also suggested coming up with a local brand name for the milk brand. 

* Click to Follow Voice of Ladakh on WhatsApp *

It was informed during the meeting that LMF will arrange milk for the trial of the plant and the department is planning to cater to the army as soon as possible. 

The Secretary directed LMF to survey the quantity of milk to be purchased monthly. He also informed that LMF offices will be set up in both Leh and Kargil districts. 

The Secretary further emphasised that the dairy sector is growing and the main driving force is urbanisation. He stressed that dairy is a vital source of income and employment and also plays a key role in the sustainability of rural areas in particular. He added that there is a tremendous potential for increasing milk production through profitable dairy farming in Ladakh.  He also informed that Ladakh has a potential for yak cheese and the department is planning to export yak cheese and butter. He urged the officers to expedite the work in progress and ensure the completion of work within the framed timeline. 

The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) will provide handholding support to LMF and a meeting with the NDDB team will be conducted soon.

The meeting was attended by DC, Leh; Chief Animal Husbandry Officer, Leh; Director, Animal Sheep Husbandry, Ladakh; Deputy Registrar Cooperative, Leh; OSD to Secretary, Cooperative Department; and Chairman, Ladakh Milk Federation.