KOLKATA – Union Home Minister Amit Shah has laid the foundation stone for the world’s largest curd (dahi) production plant under the Amul Bengal Dairy Project in Howrah, marking a significant milestone for India’s dairy processing industry and the cooperative movement.
The foundation stone was laid virtually from the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre in New Town, Kolkata. The event was attended by senior government officials and representatives from the dairy sector.
The ambitious project, with an investment of approximately ₹700 crore, will have the capacity to process 30 lakh litres of milk per day and manufacture 10 lakh kilograms of curd and other cultured dairy products daily. Once operational, the facility is expected to become the largest curd production plant in the world.
Addressing the gathering, Amit Shah described the project as a transformative initiative for West Bengal’s dairy sector. He stated that the Amul Bengal Dairy Project would significantly improve the income of milk producers while strengthening the cooperative dairy ecosystem in the state.
The project is expected to directly benefit more than 1.25 lakh dairy farmers across West Bengal, including over 30,000 women dairy producers. It is also aimed at creating a sustainable and assured market for milk procurement, thereby enhancing rural livelihoods and encouraging greater participation in organised dairy farming.
The establishment of the mega dairy facility is expected to strengthen the cooperative dairy network in eastern India by expanding milk processing infrastructure and improving market access for producers. The project aligns with India’s growing demand for value-added dairy products and highlights the increasing importance of cultured dairy foods in the country’s food processing sector.
Curd remains one of India’s most widely consumed dairy products owing to its nutritional and health benefits. Prepared through the fermentation of milk using beneficial bacterial cultures such as Lactobacillus delbrueckii, curd is rich in probiotics, protein, calcium, potassium and magnesium.
Regular consumption of curd offers several health benefits, including:
- Improving gut health and digestion through beneficial probiotic bacteria.
- Strengthening the immune system and supporting overall digestive wellness.
- Promoting bone health due to its high calcium content.
- Supporting heart health by helping maintain healthy blood pressure levels.
- Assisting in weight management by contributing to hormonal balance and satiety.
- Providing easily digestible protein and essential nutrients for daily nutrition.
In Indian households, curd is an indispensable part of the daily diet and is consumed in various forms, including buttermilk (chaas), kadhi, shrikhand, dahi vada, and numerous regional preparations.
The Amul Bengal Dairy Project represents a major investment in India’s value-added dairy segment and is expected to enhance milk utilisation, strengthen farmer incomes, and further expand the country’s dairy processing capabilities. With its scale and farmer-centric approach, the project is poised to become a landmark development for both West Bengal and the Indian dairy industry.
6 traditional ways to enjoy curd
Dahl Vada: This is a popular Indian snack, where soft lentil dumplings (vadas) made with urad dal are soaked in water, then topped with fresh dahi, and finished with chutneys and spices.
Kadhi: It is also a popular curry enjoyed with steamed rice during summer. Made with besan, curd, turmeric, and a tempering of panch phoran, green chilli, and mango powder, it is a comforting Indian dish enjoyed with salad on the side.
Chaas: Also known as buttermilk, it is a traditional Indian drink made by mixing curd with water and seasoning it with cumin powder, pepper, salt, and mint. It is best enjoyed in summer as it keeps the gut cool, hydrates the body and aids digestion.
Shrikhand: It is a traditional Indian dessert made with hung curd, sweetened with sugar and flavored with aromatic spices like saffron, cardamom, and nutmeg. It is especially popular in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Dahi Puri: It is a popular Indian street food, that consists of crispy puris filled with a mixture of boiled potatoes, sprouted moong, or chickpeas, topped with cool yogurt (dahi), sweet and tangy tamarind chutney, spicy green chutney, and garnished with sev, coriander, and pomegranate seeds.
Dahi Baigan: It is a popular side dish where eggplant marinated in semolina, besan, turmeric, and salt is pan-seared and then dunked in beaten curd along with ground spices. It goes well with rice and roti.
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