Spread over 15 acres, with an annual production capacity of 400,000 tonnes, the new facility will be Cargill’s largest dairy feed plant in South Asia and the second in the state of Punjab after Bathinda.
Underscoring its long-term confidence in India’s livestock sector and to help accelerate growth in Punjab’s dairy industry, Cargill Animal Nutrition & Health opened a state-of-the-art dairy feed plant in Wazirabad, Punjab. Built at an investment of Rs 300 crore, the new plant will provide dairy farmers access to world-class feed solutions and provide science-based dairy nutrition on a large scale, a press release issued by the company said.
Spread over 15 acres, with an annual production capacity of 400,000 tonnes, the new facility will be Cargill’s largest dairy feed plant in South Asia and the second in the state of Punjab after Bathinda. This will add over 1000 direct and indirect jobs, create livelihood opportunities for the local community and help the company meet the growing demand from the main dairy markets of Punjab. The products manufactured here will be marketed under the globally renowned brands Provimi and Purina and will cater to multiple customer segments including dairy farmers, producers and feed mills.
Strategically located within the high-density dairy sector, Cargill’s Wazirabad facility will bring production closer to farming communities in Punjab, one of the most productive dairy belts of North India. It will provide dairy producers access to the latest technology used in the production of a wide range of dairy feeds for young animals and milking cows using a high level of automation. By enabling continuous availability of safe and quality feed, the plant will help dairy producers improve milk yields, animal health, farmers’ income and strengthen the entire dairy value chain.
The facility was inaugurated by Punjab Industries and Commerce Minister Sanjeev Arora along with Cargill leadership: “Punjab continues to be a leader in India’s agriculture and dairy landscape supported by its progressive farmers and strong infrastructure. Investments from global companies like Cargill will further strengthen the state’s industrial ecosystem and create employment opportunities for local communities, supporting rural livelihoods. This clearly reflects the industry’s growing confidence in Punjab as a preferred destination for agriculture and food sector investments and This is in line with our vision of transforming the state into a progressive one.” Prosperous and self-reliant unit,” said Punjab Industries and Commerce Minister Sanjeev Arora while speaking at the inauguration of the plant. He said that the Punjab government will provide them all possible help and make Punjab the most preferred destination for investors.
“By expanding its manufacturing presence closer to the major dairy sectors of Punjab, farmers of the state will have continuous access to high quality and low-toxic feed while complying with BIS guidelines. This will enhance supply reliability and farm profitability for dairy farmers, besides contributing to local employment, thereby strengthening the state ecosystem,” Ravinder Balan, President, Cargill India and Senior Managing Director, Cargill Animal Nutrition and Health, India, said at the plant launch.
India has been the world’s largest milk producer for many years and accounts for more than a quarter of global production. Currently, dairy is the largest agricultural product in India, contributing 5% to the national economy and directly employing more than eight crore farmers (national accounts statistics). This, coupled with the steady increase in dairy consumption, makes the availability of high quality dairy feed vital for the development of the sector.
Cargill’s latest expansion builds on decades of work with Indian farmers through trusted brands like Provimi and Purina. Along with the Bathinda plant, the new facility also builds on the ‘Make in India’ agenda by expanding local manufacturing, skill development and supporting economic activity in the surrounding communities. Safety, quality and responsible operations remain the cornerstone of the facility. Designed in accordance with Cargill’s global standards for workplace safety, biosecurity and product excellence, the plant reflects the company’s commitment to operational integrity and sustainable food systems.
