NDDB partners to announce new ice cream plant for PONLAIT in 2025-26 budget

INDIA – The Indian government  has revealed plans to establish a new ice cream plant for the Pondicherry Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union Ltd (PONLAIT), aimed at boosting dairy production in the region. 

According to the Budget for 2025-26, announced earlier this week, the facility will have an impressive capacity of 20 lakh litres per day. 

This ambitious project is set to be developed at an estimated cost of ₹34.35 crore, with support from the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), a key partner in advancing India’s dairy sector.

Reported by officials familiar with the proposal, the new plant is part of a broader effort to enhance PONLAIT’s ability to meet growing demand for dairy products, particularly ice cream, in Puducherry and beyond. 

The cooperative, which has been a cornerstone of the region’s dairy industry since its inception in 1955, already produces a variety of milk products, including ghee, curd, and flavored milk.

With this expansion, PONLAIT aims to strengthen its market position and provide better returns for local milk producers.

In addition to the ice cream plant, the government plans to invest ₹3.45 crore to install five Bulk Milk Coolers, each with a capacity of 3,000 litres. 

This initiative falls under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD). 

A report by the Ministry of Animal Husbandry and Dairying highlights that these coolers will help preserve milk quality by ensuring immediate chilling after procurement, benefiting farmers across Puducherry’s rural areas. 

The NPDD, restructured in 2021 to run until 2025-26, focuses on improving dairy infrastructure and supporting cooperatives like PONLAIT.

The proposal also includes plans to upgrade the Quality Assurance laboratory at PONLAIT’s existing dairy plant. 

This move is expected to ensure that all products, including the new ice cream line, meet high safety and quality standards. 

Speaking about the initiative, a senior PONLAIT official said, “This is a game-changer for us. The new plant and upgraded facilities will allow us to serve customers better while supporting our farmers.”

To prepare for the expansion, the government intends to train 510 cattle farmers and 300 PONLAIT employees. 

“Training is key to making this project a success,” stated an NDDB representative involved in the collaboration. 

The training will cover modern dairy farming techniques and quality control measures, equipping farmers and staff to handle increased production efficiently.

This development builds on PONLAIT’s history of growth, which saw its milk processing capacity rise from 10,000 litres per day in 1971 to 1.2 lakh litres by 2012. 

With the new ice cream plant, the cooperative is poised to take a significant leap forward, reinforcing Puducherry’s role in India’s dairy landscape. 

Local farmers and consumers alike are optimistic about the economic benefits this project promises to deliver.