Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin virtually inaugurated a new ice cream production facility at the Aavin dairy unit in Kottapattu, Trichy, on Tuesday. This modern plant boasts a daily production capacity of six thousand litres. It marks a significant step toward decentralising dairy operations in the state.
Boosting Local Production for Trichy Region
The new ice cream plant will now produce all required products for Trichy, Ariyalur, and Perambalur districts locally. Previously, these districts sourced their ice cream from Chennai. This shift aims to cut down on lengthy supply chains and associated costs.
Officials highlighted that the plant, developed at a cost of Rs 21.5 crore, features several advanced sections. These include a dedicated ingredients area, refrigeration units, freezing equipment, and packing devices. The setup is designed to streamline production and ensure quality.
Reducing Logistics Expenses
This initiative is part of a broader decentralisation move by the state government-run dairy. By producing ice cream locally, Aavin can significantly reduce logistics expenses. The move eliminates the need for expensive cold chain mechanisms during long-distance transport from Chennai.
Chief Minister Stalin also inaugurated a fermented products plant at the same facility. This unit has a capacity to produce ten thousand litres per day of items like curd, buttermilk, flavoured milk, and lassi.
Meeting Growing Demand
In the coming months, both the ice cream and fermented products plants are expected to support a surge in demand for Aavin's products. During peak summer, Aavin Trichy sold approximately 3,000 kilograms of curd daily. The new facilities will help meet this rising consumption.
Officials noted that with the ice cream plant now operational, it will cater to bulk demand for value-added products. This includes requirements for events such as weddings, which the dairy unit can now fulfil efficiently.
After meeting the needs of Ariyalur and Perambalur, any surplus products will be supplied to other districts in the region. This expansion ensures wider availability and supports local economies.
The inaugurations underscore the government's focus on enhancing dairy infrastructure and promoting self-sufficiency in Tamil Nadu's regions.
