Sarhad Dairy Boosts Camel Milk Production and Innovation in Gujarat
Sarhad Dairy, formally known as Kutch District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd., is a leading cooperative in Gujarat, India, established in 2009 under the guidance of then Chief Minister Narendra Modi. The dairy collaborates with over 900 cooperative societies, sourcing approximately 5.5 lakh liters of milk daily fr om around 80,000 milk producers. It processes up to 4 lakh liters of milk per day and operates a 300-tonne cattle feed plant. In the fiscal year 2024-25, the dairy achieved a turnover exceeding Rs 1,200 crore, marking a 9.09% growth from the previous year.
Sarhad Dairy's camel milk processing plant, operational since January 16, 2019, is the first of its kind in India. The dairy has gained primary organic certification for its camel milk, which is collected through four centers across the Kutch district: Rapar, Nakhatrana, Gadhshisha, and Kotda Athamana. In 2024-25, daily camel milk procurement reached 4,754 liters, with an annual payment of Rs 8,72,83,440 to over 350 camel farming families.
The dairy's innovative product range includes India's only camel milk Rajbhog-flavored ice cream, introduced in February 2024. Within a year, the plant launched 80 varieties of ice cream, producing 24.52 lakh liters in 2024-25, with a peak dispatch of 58,000 liters. Sarhad Dairy also supplies pure Buffalo milk to Amul plants across various states.
At the International Dairy Federation's Regional Dairy Conference in Kochi, Kerala, Sarhad Dairy's camel milk initiatives were presented as a model for the Asia-Pacific region. The dairy also showcased its camel milk products at the 2025 Gulf Food Expo in Dubai, wh ere they attracted significant attention at the Amul stall.
Under the 'Sahkar se Samriddhi' initiative, Sarhad Dairy has facilitated the opening of accounts for 31,067 animal husbandry farmers at the Kutch District Central Cooperative Bank. The farmers have been issued RuPay cards, and 438 milk societies have received Micro ATMs to simplify banking.
