Himachal Pradesh Him Ganga Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Himachal Pradesh Him Ganga Yojana is the state's flagship dairy-development scheme, announced by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in the 2023-24 Budget Speech on 17 March 2023. The scheme aims to strengthen the dairy economy by protecting milk producers from market price fluctuations and ensuring a fixed Minimum Support Price (MSP) for cow and buffalo milk. Under the scheme, the state government procures milk from farmers through the organised cooperative system, helping cattle rearers receive a stable and cost-based price for the milk they supply.

Him Ganga Yojana works through two major components. The first component provides a declared and periodically revised MSP for milk, while the second focuses on developing village-level milk producer cooperative societies. Farmers can supply their milk through these societies, which connect them with organised milk collection, processing and marketing facilities and help reduce dependence on private middlemen. Himachal Pradesh has also described itself as the first Indian state to declare a formal MSP on milk. The state finances this initiative through a dedicated ₹10-per-bottle Milk Cess on liquor sales, which is expected to generate around ₹100 crore annually for milk producers.

The milk MSP under Him Ganga Yojana has been revised over time. The MSP was initially ₹38 per litre for cow milk and ₹47 per litre for buffalo milk. As per the latest revision announced in the 2026-27 Budget Speech, the MSP has increased to ₹61 per litre for cow milk and ₹71 per litre for buffalo milk. Himachal Pradesh Milk Producers' Federation (HPMILKFED) implemented these revised rates from 15 June 2026. A separate pilot also provides an MSP of ₹70 per litre for goat milk. Under the latest revision, MSP procurement is capped at 20 litres per farmer per day to extend the benefit to a larger number of milk producers.

Him Ganga Yojana also focuses on developing the infrastructure required to collect, chill, process and market milk. A major project is the automated milk processing plant at Dhagwar in Kangra district. The government has also expanded automated milk collection centres, chilling facilities and milk producer cooperative societies in districts including Kangra and Hamirpur. The scheme does not have a separate individual online application form. Farmers participate by joining or helping form a milk producer cooperative society in their village, through which their milk is supplied to HPMILKFED at the declared MSP.

A related transport support of ₹3 per litre is available for milk supplied through a registered cooperative society. Farmers should also note that the state runs the separate Doodh Protsahan Yojana, which provides a ₹3-per-litre DBT incentive to farmers registered with private milk cooperatives. Although both initiatives aim to strengthen Himachal Pradesh's dairy economy, Doodh Protsahan Yojana is a separate scheme from Him Ganga Yojana.

Milk producers and cattle rearers looking for other livestock and farming support programmes can also explore Himachal Pradesh Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana and Himachal Pradesh Krishak Bakri Palan Yojana.

Scheme Benefits

Him Ganga Yojana focuses on strengthening the dairy value chain and improving the milk procurement system for milk producers and cattle rearers. The key benefits include:

• Cow milk producers get a Minimum Support Price of ₹61 per litre.
• Buffalo milk producers get a Minimum Support Price of ₹71 per litre.
• Goat milk producers can receive an MSP of ₹70 per litre under the pilot scheme.
• Farmers supplying milk through registered cooperative societies can receive a freight subsidy of up to ₹3 per litre.
• Milk producers can access village-level cooperative societies for milk collection, processing and marketing.
• Modern milk-processing facilities support the production of milk powder, curd, ghee, ice cream, flavoured milk and cheese.
• Digital milk procurement helps farmers track milk collection and payment details.
• Registered milk producers receive regular payments for the milk supplied through the organised procurement system.

Note: The Minimum Support Price (MSP) for milk is subject to change as per decisions of the Himachal Pradesh Government and HPMILKFED. Farmers should check the latest official notification for the current applicable milk procurement rates.

Eligibility Requirements

Him Ganga Yojana is implemented through milk cooperative societies and the Himachal Pradesh Milk Producers' Federation (MILKFED). The available official government documents do not prescribe a separate set of individual age, income, landholding or caste-based eligibility conditions.

• The applicant should be a milk producer or cattle rearer participating in the organised milk procurement system.
• The applicant should participate through a milk cooperative society associated with the MILKFED procurement network.
• The scheme was initially implemented on a pilot basis in Kangra and Hamirpur districts.
• The applicant must fulfil the registration or membership requirements prescribed by the concerned milk cooperative society or MILKFED.

Required Documents

The official documents currently available for Him Ganga Yojana do not specify a separate mandatory document list for individual applicants. Since the scheme is implemented through milk cooperative societies and Himachal Pradesh Milk Producers' Federation (MILKFED), milk producers should confirm the required registration and membership documents with the concerned cooperative society.

• Producer and milk supplier details, as required by the concerned milk cooperative society.
• Identity and registration details, wherever required by MILKFED or the concerned cooperative society.
• Bank account details, wherever required for receiving milk payments.
• Any additional documents prescribed by the concerned milk cooperative society or MILKFED.

Financial Assistance: Milk MSP Rates

The Minimum Support Price (MSP) for milk is the main financial benefit under Him Ganga Yojana. The Himachal Pradesh Government has increased the MSP over the years to provide better returns to milk producers.

In addition to cow and buffalo milk, the government has introduced a pilot MSP of ₹70 per litre for goat milk. The freight subsidy for milk supplied through registered cooperative societies has also been increased from ₹1.50 to ₹3 per litre.

Note: The milk MSP rates may be revised by the Himachal Pradesh Government from time to time. Farmers should check the latest official notification for the current applicable rates.

Steps to Apply

Him Ganga Yojana is implemented through Himachal Pradesh Milk Producers' Federation (MILKFED), milk cooperative societies and the organised milk procurement system. The available official government documents do not specify a separate online application form for individual beneficiaries. Milk producers should therefore contact the concerned milk cooperative society or MILKFED milk procurement centre to participate in the scheme.

• Contact the nearest MILKFED milk cooperative society or authorised milk procurement centre.
• Confirm whether the cooperative society is participating in Him Ganga Yojana and whether producer registration or membership is available.
• Provide the producer and other details required by the concerned cooperative society.
• Complete the prescribed registration or cooperative membership process, wherever applicable.
• Supply milk through the authorised milk procurement system after registration.
• The milk is assessed through the available quality-testing and procurement system.
• Receive payment according to the applicable MILKFED milk procurement and quality-linked pricing system.

Relevant Links

• Himachal Pradesh Milkfed Website
• Himachal Pradesh Animal Husbandry Department Portal.
• Department of Cooperation, Himachal Pradesh Official Website

Contact Information

• HPMILKFED Contact Details
• Himachal Cooperative Department Phone Number: 0177-2620970
• Himachal Cooperative Department Email Helpdesk: rcs-hp.nic.in