Punjab's Per Capita Milk Availability 3 times of National Average with 14.5 MT annual production: Khudian
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
Reaffirming the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government's commitment to innovation in agricultural allied sectors and economic prosperity of farmers, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian today rolled out the red carpet for global investors at the Progressive Punjab Investors Summit-2026.
Addressing distinguished gathering of industry leaders and entrepreneurs at “ Cattle feed & Dairy Punjab: India’s Cattle Feed, Animal Nutrition and Dairy Processing Powerhouse”, the Minister outlined a comprehensive vision to transform Punjab into the most attractive destination for investment in cattle feed, animal nutrition and the dairy sector.
Punjab welcomes you all in its journey towards economic prosperity and innovation," said S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian stated, "Our vision is to make Punjab the most attractive destination for investment in cattle feed, animal nutrition and the dairy sector. Livestock farming and dairy production form the backbone of our rural economy, and we are ready to build a future of global scale."
Highlighting the state's inherent strengths, s. khudian showcased Punjab's remarkable dairy output. He noted that the per capita availability of milk in the state stands at approximately 1,318 grams per day — nearly three times the national average — with an annual production exceeding 14.5 million tonnes.
Khudian attributed this robust performance to a combination of progressive farmers, state-of-the-art infrastructure and a supportive government framework. He pointed to the successful establishment of modern feed plants by global giants such as Cargill Animal Nutrition & Health and De Heus Animal Nutrition in Fatehgarh Sahib and Rajpura as proof of Punjab's investor-friendly environment.
To further boost productivity and sustainability, the Minister detailed several government initiatives, including active promotion of commercial silage production through subsidies and the encouragement of hydroponic fodder systems.
The Minister also emphasised the critical role of research and veterinary infrastructure in maintaining high-quality output. "The Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana, provides unparalleled scientific know-how and area-specific mineral mixtures, significantly improving animal health and milk productivity," he stated.
Identifying a key market opportunity, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian noted that a significant portion of the state's milk production is currently consumed without processing. "This presents immense potential for investment in dairy processing and value-added products such as paneer, ghee, ice cream and flavoured milk," he told the investors.
"The Punjab Government is fully committed to creating a conducive environment for investors, with robust infrastructure, strong scientific institutions, an efficient supply chain and our hardworking human resources," the Minister added.
Inviting entrepreneurs to explore the immense opportunities within Punjab's livestock sector, S Khudian said, "I warmly invite all investors and entrepreneurs present here to explore the opportunities in animal nutrition, dairy processing and livestock development. Let us together transform Punjab into a global hub for farm and dairy-based industries."
Detailing Punjab's vast veterinary network, Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry Rahul Bhandari informed that the state has 1,367 veterinary hospitals, 1,489 dispensaries and 22 district-level polyclinics. Furthermore, the adoption of advanced reproductive technologies like In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and sex-sorted semen is being implemented to increase the population of elite female dairy animals, ensuring a future of even higher productivity.