Bhubaneswar: The Odisha State Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation (OMFED) is all set to enter the chocolate market. Plans are underway for setting up a dedicated OMFED chocolate manufacturing plant, and the detailed project report (DPR) preparation has already been entrusted to the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
Speaking to the media, OMFED’s Managing Director Vijay Amrut Kulange informed that once the DPR is completed, a formal proposal will be submitted to the Odisha government for the required capital investment to set up the proposed chocolate facility. This initiative is aimed at product diversification and value addition to dairy products under the OMFED brand.
In another major development, OMFED is also planning to launch packaged drinking water under its own brand name. This product is expected to be available in the market within the next four months, offering consumers a new reliable option in the bottled water segment.
Currently, OMFED collects around 5.5 lakh litres of milk daily from approximately 2.5 lakh dairy farmers across the state. With consistent efforts to strengthen the dairy sector, OMFED has set an ambitious target to increase milk procurement to 10 lakh litres per day within a year.
The Federation is also focusing on increasing its production of ghee. At present, OMFED produces around 120 tonnes of ghee per month, which is supplied to prominent temples including the Jagannath Temple in Puri.
Kulange added that if demand continues to grow, ghee production will be further scaled up. These initiatives are part of OMFED’s broader strategy to boost its brand visibility, support rural dairy farmers, and diversify its product offerings in Odisha and beyond.