In order to secure animal feed supplies for milk producers, the Anand-based Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union Ltd or Amul Dairy is setting up a cattle feed factory with a capacity to manufacture 1,000 tonnes per day (TPD). The new plant will make Amul Asia’s largest cattle feed producer.
Amul Dairy has invested Rs 100-150 crore towards setting up the new plant near Kapadvanj in Kaira district of Gujarat. The plant is likely to be commissioned in a year’s time.
With the new cattle feed plant, Amul is set to become Asia’s largest cattle feed manufacturer with a total capacity of over 2,000 tonnes daily. The dairy has an existing cattle feed making plant with a capacity of 1,100 tonnes daily near Anand at Kanajri.
“The work has already begun to set up the new plant. The machinery is of German make and has been brought from Denmark. It has ultra modern technology including robotic processing techniques,” said Ramsinh Parmar, Chairman, Amul Dairy.
The cattle feed manufactured at the new plant would not only cater to the requirements of milk producers.
“Initially we will manufacture around 700 tonnes per day of cattle feed. Going forward, the production would be increased,” said Parmar.
Amul Dairy makes a range of dairy products including cheese, paneer and chocolates besides others at its plants located at different locations in and outside Gujarat.
The dairy, which has a daily milk procurement of 19 lakh litres, is set to achieve a record Rs 3,100-3,200 crore turnover for 2013-14. It recorded a turnover of Rs 2,850 crore for 2012-13.
The plant will manufacture cattle feed for calf and big animals. Currently the dairy manufactures Amuldan (Bypass Protein Feed), Calf Starter, Milk Replaced, Mineral Mixer, Medicated Feed and Urea Mineral Molasses Block.
According to dairy officials, cattle feed constitutes 70-75 per cent of the total cost of milk. Hence, a larger capacity would mean lower cost and secured supply with consistent quality for the milk producers.