The College of Dairy and Food Science Technology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana hosted an open dialogue on ‘Cheese and its Prospects in Punjab’, bringing together major stakeholders to explore opportunities in the $ 98 billion global cheese market.
Dr. J.P.S. Gill, Vice Chancellor, emphasized the urgency of transforming Punjab into a premium cheese
hub, highlighting rising global and domestic demand for specialty cheeses. The event saw participation from the Progressive Dairy Farmers Association (PDFA), Frontier Dairy Junction, quick service restaurants (QSRs), dairy farmers, start-ups, processors and retailers.
Dr. R S Grewal, Director Extension Education informed that attendees sampled a variety of cheeses standardized by Vet Varsity scientists, viz. Mozzarella, Ricotta, Chevre, and Cottage, showcasing local expertise. A presentation by the college outlined market trends, economics, and trade potential for premium cheeses, sparking lively discussion among participants.
Sh. Daljit Singh, PDFA President praised the University for providing a platform to assess the cheese market’s potential. He noted growing milk production in Punjab and a surge in young entrepreneurs returning from abroad to establish commercial dairy farms. “This is the right time for PDFA to venture into cheese making,” he said.
Stakeholders discussed the incre
asing local demand for specialty cheeses such as Mozzarella, Ricotta, Chevre, Cheddar, Bocconcini, Burrata, Parmesan, and more. Representatives from Frontier Dairy Junction expressed keen interest in further training and collaboration with the university. Dr S P S Ghuman, Dean College of Dairy and Food Science Technology encouraged PDFA to incubate cheese-making ventures at Vet Varsity, offering full technical support and guidance to help produce high-quality cheeses in Punjab. Dr. R.S. Grewal envisioned transforming Punjab’s dairy farming into a hub for high-value cheese production, boosting farmer’s income and rural economies.
While concluding, the Vice Chancellor reaffirmed the university’s openness to partner with all stakeholders, farmers, processors, retailers, and deliver tailored research solutions to industry challenges. “Let’s work together to transform Punjab’s cheese industry,” he urged. The event marked a significant step towards positioning Punjab as a leader in premium cheese production, with strong industry enthusiasm and institutional backing paving the way.
