Cargill recently opened a new dairy cattle feed mill in Wazirabad, Punjab – India. The mill represents an investment of USD 31.43 million and has an annual production capacity of 400,000 tons.
This expansion marks an important step from Cargill towards making India self-reliant in dairy cattle feed, contributing to the Indian government’s initiative of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India).
Cargill’s largest dairy cattle feed mill in South Asia
Cargill describes the site as its largest dairy cattle feed mill in South Asia. It is the company’s second mill in Punjab, after the facility in Bathinda, and occupies 15 acres in a region with a high concentration of dairy production.
The mill will produce feeds for young animals and milking cows. Production will use automated systems and other advanced manufacturing technologies, with products sold under Cargill’s Provimi and Purina brands. The intended customers include dairy cattle farmers, dairy cattle producers and feed mills.
The company said the Wazirabad location would bring feed production closer to farming communities and improve the availability and reliability of feed supplies. Its products are to comply with standards issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards, with an emphasis on low-toxin feed and science-based nutrition.
Ravinder Balain, President of Cargill India and Senior Managing Director of Cargill Animal Nutrition & Health, said that expanding production near Punjab’s main dairy regions will support more dependable supplies and farm profitability. The facility was designed in line with Cargill’s global requirements for workplace safety, biosecurity and product quality.
Contributing to local manufacturing, skills development and economic activity
Sanjeev Arora, Punjab’s Minister of Industries and Commerce, inaugurated the mill with Cargill executives. He said investment by global companies could strengthen the state’s industrial ecosystem, create jobs and support rural livelihoods.
Mr Arora also said the Punjab government will support investors and wants the state to become a preferred destination for agricultural and food-sector investment.
Cargill expects the mill to generate more than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs. The company said the Wazirabad and Bathinda operations will contribute to local manufacturing, skills development and economic activity.
India is the world’s largest milk producer, accounting for more than a quarter of global output, while dairy is the country’s largest agricultural product and provides livelihoods for millions of farmers.