our correspondent
islamabad
In continuation of inculcating organic farming and dairy development in the Potohar region, GR Farms in collaboration with USAID Punjab Enabling Environment Project (PEEP) embarked in introducing ‘Full Cream Pasteurized Milk’ through latest pasteurizing unit installed at Chak Koka Village, Chakwal.
This state-of-the-art facility was inaugurated yesterday at GR Farms and amongst those attending the launch ceremony were experts from NARC (National Agricultural Research Council), ZTBL (Zari Taraqiati Bank Limited), members of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce, Chief of Party USAID PEEP, as well as local dairy farmers, political and community leaders of the area. This initiative not only enables GR Farms to utilize pasteurized fresh milk for their own capacity but also providing an opportunity for neighboring farms to process and pack approximately 3,000 liters of raw milk into safe, hygienic and packaged pasteurized milk.
This Pasteurizing Unit was established at GR Farms under USAID PEEP’s matching grants program. GR Farms identified latest semi-automatic pasteurization technology and developed process flows for optimum capacity and utilization of available resources in close consultation with PEEP Project. This facility is a showcase for small farmers with a daily sale capacity from 100 liters to 3,000 liters. It is also a first of its kind pasteurization facility in the region.
GR Farms has implemented this project through a matching grant of technical and financial assistance from USAID PEEP, which is a seven-year project working towards enhancing private sector-led growth in the horticulture, livestock and dairy sub-sectors of Punjab through policy reform advocacy and institutional capacity development.
Premium Quality Products such as Full Cream fresh milk ‘GRAS MILK’, Chaki Atta, Gurr, Honey, Fruit and Vegetables will be offered to consumers in the surrounding cities through an online application called GRAP M-Store. GR Farms is managed by an automated Farm Management System to utilize resources to the fullest and provide best possible customer experience.
