India’s first camel milk processing plant, popularly known as Sarhad Dairy, procured an average of 4,754 litres of camel milk per day and paid Rs 8,72,83,440 to over 350 families, during 2024-25.
January 2026: India’s first camel milk processing plant, operated by the Kutch District Cooperative Milk Producers Union, popularly known as Sarhad Dairy, procured an average of 4,754 litres of camel milk per day during 2024-25, according to Gujarat government officials.
The Bhuj-based cooperative disbursed a total of Rs 8.72 crore to more than 350 camel-rearing families during the year. “In 2024-25, daily camel milk procurement reached 4,754 litres, with an annual payment of Rs 8,72,83,440 made to over 350 families,” an official release said.
Sarhad Dairy works with over 900 cooperative societies and procures nearly 5.5 lakh litres of milk per day, including bovine and camel milk, from around 80,000 producers. The dairy has a milk processing capacity of up to 4 lakh litres per day, operates a 300-tonne cattle feed plant, and produces about 50,000 litres of ice cream daily. Its peak milk production stands at 3.38 lakh litres per day (LLPD).
The cooperative supports animal husbandry farmers by disbursing nearly Rs 3 crore daily. In 2024-25, Sarhad Dairy recorded a turnover exceeding Rs 1,200 crore, marking a year-on-year growth of 9.09 percent, the release added.
Established in 2009 during Narendra Modi’s tenure as Gujarat chief minister, Sarhad Dairy is also a pioneer in supplying pure buffalo milk to several Amul dairy plants across states, including Haryana, Telangana, and Maharashtra.
Often referred to as the “white gold” of the Rann of Kutch, camel milk is valued for its rich mineral content, immunity-boosting properties, and overall health benefits. Sarhad Dairy operates India’s first deodorising camel milk processing plant, equipped with advanced machinery and functional since January 16, 2019. The dairy has also secured primary organic certification for camel milk.
Following the Amul cooperative model, camel milk is collected through four centres across Kutch district, Rapar, Nakhatrana, Gadhshisha, and Kotda Athamana.
The dairy is also the only facility in India producing Rajbhog-flavoured camel milk ice cream. The ice cream plant, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 22, 2024, has launched 80 varieties within its first year. During 2024-25, Sarhad Dairy produced 24.52 lakh litres of ice cream, with peak dispatch reaching 58,000 litres.
Sarhad Dairy has received several national recognitions, including the FOKIA Awards in 2014 and 2024, the Rotary Club Vocational Excellence Award in 2017, and the Green Workplace Award 2025 for sustainability initiatives.
Under the ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’ initiative, the dairy has facilitated bank account openings for 31,067 animal husbandry farmers and 900 milk societies at the Kutch District Central Cooperative Bank. To improve financial inclusion, RuPay cards have been issued to farmers, and 438 milk societies have been equipped with Micro ATMs. (ANI)
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