The initiative was formally launched at a ceremony held at the OUAT Auditorium in Bhubaneswar, bringing together representatives from the Government of Odisha, the banking sector and the dairy industry. The event highlighted a collaborative effort to strengthen farmers’ livelihoods and support the continued development of dairy farming across the state.
Sri Prem Chand Chaudhary, Secretary, Department of Fisheries & Animal Resources Development, Government of Odisha, attended the event as the Chief Guest. Sri Shubhranshu, Managing Director, APICOL, was the Guest of Honour. Other distinguished attendees included Sri Rakesh Kumar Yadav, Chief General Manager, State Bank of India, and Mr. R. G. Chandramogan, Chairman, Hatsun Agro Product Ltd.
Go-Dhan is expected to benefit 6,000 dairy farmers across 15 districts of Odisha by providing improved access to institutional finance and relevant government support. The initiative is designed to help farmers invest in quality bovine breeds, improved cattle housing, farm mechanisation, nutrition and herd health.
A key component of the programme is its focus on leveraging government subsidy schemes, including the Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana (MKUY), to help participating farmers access more affordable capital for strengthening and expanding their dairy operations. By addressing financial constraints alongside the need for scientific farm management and productivity enhancement, the initiative aims to support sustainable dairy development and strengthen rural livelihoods.
Commenting on the launch, Mr. R. G. Chandramogan, Chairman, Hatsun Agro Product Ltd., said, “At Hatsun Agro Product Ltd., we have played a significant role in the development of the dairy sector and animal husbandry across South India for decades. Our journey has always been guided by the belief that the prosperity of dairy farmers is the foundation of a strong and sustainable dairy industry.”
He added, “Through the Go-Dhan initiative, we aim to support the establishment of more than 6,000 dairy farms, over the next three years in a phased manner. This initiative is designed to improve farmer incomes, encourage scientific dairy farming, and create a sustainable dairy ecosystem in Odisha.”
Chandramogan also acknowledged the contribution of the initiative’s partners, stating, “We are deeply grateful to our partners in this journey—the dairy farmers of Odisha, the Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of Odisha, APICOL and the State Bank of India. Their support and collaboration have made this initiative possible. Together, we are committed to transforming Odisha into a dairy-rich state while creating better opportunities, higher incomes, and long-term prosperity for its farming community.”
Explaining the broader agricultural significance of the programme, he said, “Hatsun Agro's focus has always been on dairy farming, a key component of secondary agriculture. Strengthening dairy farming creates a positive impact on primary agriculture by providing farmers with a stable and progressive source of income. Through this initiative, we envision building a strong dairy value chain in Odisha, unlocking the state's agricultural potential while creating long-term prosperity for its farming community.”
He further outlined the company’s objective of developing a locally anchored milk procurement and supply network. “Our objective is to produce and procure milk within Odisha, creating value for local farmers while meeting consumer demand not only in Odisha but also for export to the neighbouring markets such as West Bengal, North Andhra Pradesh, and other nearby states. This initiative will strengthen the regional dairy economy and create sustainable growth opportunities for everyone involved.”
With its focus on institutional finance, government subsidies, scientific farming practices and regional milk procurement, Go-Dhan is intended to create opportunities for dairy farmers while supporting the development of a stronger dairy value chain in Odisha. The programme brings together Hatsun Agro Product Ltd., the Government of Odisha, APICOL and the State Bank of India around the objective of improving farmer incomes and expanding the state’s dairy sector.
Hatsun Agro Product Ltd. is a leading private-sector dairy player in India. The company procures milk from select, high-quality cattle through a network of more than 5,00,000 farmers, chosen with care. Its quality standards are certified under ISO 22000.
The company’s portfolio includes Arun Icecreams, described as South India’s leading ice cream brand; Arokya Milk & Milk Products, identified as the country’s largest private-sector milk brand; and Hatsun Dairy Products, a rapidly growing brand offering a wide portfolio of dairy products.
Its other brands include ibaco, a premium chain of ice cream outlets that enables consumers to create their own ice cream sundaes; HAP Daily, which has more than 4,200 outlets; Hanobar, a range of cocoa confectioneries infused with nuts, ganache and fruit fillings; Havia, a premium chocolate range designed for gifting; Santosa, an in-house brand for cattle feed and cattle care; and Aniva, a range of flavoured whey drinks.
HAP Daily has expanded its reach in traditionally strong markets such as Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, while also making inroads into Maharashtra, Kerala, Orissa, Goa, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Gujarat, the Andamans, Chandigarh and Bihar. Its products are distributed to kirana stores, premium supermarkets and other retail outlets through various distribution channels, increasing product availability and extending the brand’s reach to a wider consumer base.
Through Go-Dhan, Hatsun Agro Product Ltd. aims to connect farmer development with local milk production and procurement, creating a framework for expanding dairy operations, improving access to financial support and strengthening Odisha’s regional dairy economy.
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