Shimla, November 28 (IANS): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday here launched Him Gauri, the fortified cow milk brand by state-run cooperative Milkfed in collaboration with TINI-Tata Trusts and the National Dairy Development Board.
The milk will be sourced from indegenous hill cows.
The Chief Minister said the fortified milk with vitamin A and D is widely used to help people getting nutrients that may otherwise be lacking in normal diet.
The fortified milk contains extra vitamins and minerals that are not naturally found in milk in sufficient amounts.
The Chief Minister said Milkfed was doing commendable job by collecting 1.40 lakh litres daily from farmers in rural areas.
Thakur said the dairy development has been playing a pivotal role in strengthening the rural economy. The dairy sector could go a long way in doubling the farmer's income by 2022, which is the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He said two new milk processing plants would start functioning in Duttnagar in Shimla district and in Mandi by 2020 under centrally sponsored project, which will double the potential of the milk plants.
Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Virender Kanwar said the Him Gauri brand has the milk of the indigenous "pahari" cows.
Milkfed Chairman Nihal Chand Sharma said the corporation is daily providing 14,000 litre milk to armed forces.
Senior Advisor Tata Trust Vivek Arora said 150 lakhs litre of milk is being fortified in the country daily. He appreciated the efforts of the state for taking steps to fortify milk, oil and rice.
