Himachal’s milk story grows… but Shimla still drinks Punjab milk
Shimla, Nov 25 —
Funny but true. Himachal keeps showing big numbers in milk production, yet the state capital still survives on milk tankers coming from Punjab.
Local farmers are producing more every year, but the supply chain still can’t meet Shimla’s daily demand.
And this irony hits harder today, when the whole country is celebrating National Milk Day — the birth anniversary of Dr. Verghese Kurien, the man behind India’s White Revolution.
India’s dairy sector: Big rise in just 10 years
India is the world’s No. 1 milk producer, contributing nearly 25% of global output.
Milk production jumped from 146 million tonnes (2014-15) to 239 million tonnes (2023-24) — a rise of over 60%.
Per-person milk availability has touched 471 grams per day. Over 8 crore farmers depend directly on dairy — most of them women.
Govt push: Cheaper milk products, more cooperatives GST cuts: UHT milk, packed paneer — now tax-free.
Ghee, butter, cheese, ice-cream — GST slashed to 5%. White Revolution 2.0 aims to set up 75,000 new dairy cooperatives and sharply increase milk procurement by 2029.
But Shimla’s scene is still the same. Despite national gains and steady improvement in Himachal, hill districts struggle with seasonal shortages, low processing capacity and weak procurement in far-flung areas.
Result? Shimla still gets a large chunk of its milk from Punjab.
For a state that prides itself on steady dairy growth, this mismatch sticks out like a sore thumb.
New breeding programmes, village cooperatives, AI-based herd improvement and vaccination drives are expected to boost Himachal’s supply in the coming years.
Till then, the “Queen of Hills” will continue to enjoy her morning tea with Punjab milk — a daily reminder that the White Revolution hasn’t fully climbed the mountains.