Cargill Opens ₹300 Crore Dairy Feed Plant in Punjab, Strengthening India’s Livestock Sector

• Over 1,000 jobs (direct and indirect) created, supporting local livelihoods and economic growth
• With a production capacity of 400,000 tons per year, this will be Cargill’s largest dairy feed plant in South Asia, supporting India’s objective of becoming self-reliant in dairy feed

Underscoring its long-term confidence in India’s livestock sector and to help accelerate growth in Punjab’s dairy industry, Cargill Animal Nutrition & Health today opened a state-of-the-art dairy feed plant in Wazirabad, Punjab (India). Built with an investment of ₹300 crore, the new plant will provide dairy farmers access to world-class feed solutions and deliver science-based dairy nutrition at scale. This expansion marks an important step from Cargill towards making India self-reliant in dairy feed, contributing to the Indian Government’s initiative of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India).

Spread over 15 acres, with an annual production capacity of 400,000 metric tons, the new facility will be Cargill’s largest dairy feed plant in South Asia and second plant in the state of Punjab (after Bhatinda). It will add over 1000 (direct and indirect) jobs, creating livelihood opportunities for the local community and help the company meet rising demand from core dairy markets of Punjab. Products manufactured here will be marketed under the globally renowned brands Provimi and Purina and cater to multiple customer segments including dairy farmers, producers and feed mills.

Strategically located within a high-density dairy region, Cargill’s Wazirabad facility will bring production closer to farming communities in Punjab, one of north India’s most productive dairy belts. It will also give dairy producers access to the latest technology used in the production of a wide range of dairy feed for young animals and milking cows, using a high degree of automation. By enabling consistent availability of safe and quality feed, this plant will support dairy producers improve milk yields, animal health, farmer incomes, and strengthen the entire dairy value chain.

The facility was inaugurated today by Sanjeev Arora, Minister of Industries & Commerce, Punjab, alongside Cargill leadership: “Punjab continues to be a leader in India’s agricultural and dairy landscape, supported by its progressive farmers and strong infrastructure. Investments from global companies like Cargill will further strengthen the state’s industrial ecosystem and create employment opportunities for local communities, supporting rural livelihoods. This clearly reflects growing industry confidence in Punjab as a preferred destination for agri and food sector investments and aligns with our vision of transforming the state into a progressive, prosperous and self-reliant entity,” said Sanjeev Arora, Minister of Industries & Commerce, Punjab speaking at the plant inauguration. He said that the Punjab government will support them with all possible help and make Punjab choicest destination for investors.

“By expanding our manufacturing presence closer to the key dairy regions of Punjab, farmers in the state will have consistent access to high quality and low toxin feed complying with BIS guidelines. This will enhance supply reliability and farm profitability for dairy farmers, besides contributing to local employment, thereby strengthening the state ecosystem,” said Ravinder Balain, President, Cargill India & Senior Managing Director Cargill Animal Nutrition & Health, India, speaking at the plant launch.

India is the world’s largest milk producer for several years and accounts for over a quarter of the global output. Currently, dairy is the largest agricultural product in India, contributing 5% to the national economy and directly employing more than eight crore farmers (National Accounts Statistics). This, coupled with steady growth in dairy consumption, makes availability of high-quality dairy feed critical for the growth of the sector.

Cargill’s latest expansion builds on decades of work with Indian farmers through trusted brands such as Provimi and Purina. Together with the Bathinda plant, the new facility also builds on the ‘Make in India’ agenda by expanding local manufacturing, supporting skill development and economic activity in surrounding communities. Safety, quality, and responsible operations remain foundational to the facility. Designed in alignment with Cargill’s global standards for workplace safety, biosecurity, and product excellence, the plant reflects the company’s commitment to operational integrity and sustainable food systems.

Leads Agri Genetics Launches India’s 1st Privately-Owned Integrated CoE for Cattle & Plant Genomics

• Leads Agri Genetics initiative is a giant leap in advancing India’s agricultural biotechnology and livestock genomics capabilities.
• The Centre of Excellence (CoE) and laboratory will have a full-stack genomics service platform designed exclusively for the agri-genomics and agricultural biotechnology sector.

Leads Agri Genetics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Leads Connect launched India’s first privately-owned Integrated Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Cattle and Plant Genomics Laboratory in Greater Noida. This landmark initiative is a giant leap by Leads Connect in advancing India’s agricultural biotechnology and livestock genomics capabilities. Leads Agri Genetics is also the first Indian private company to have imported the Gir embryos - genetic material from Brazil to India under Breed Improvement Program.

The new centre was inaugurated by Mr. Ghanshyam Khandelwal, Chairman, BL Agro, India’s leading FMCG brand and the holding company of Leads Connect. The Centre of Excellence (CoE) aims to catapult India at the forefront of global agri-genomics research and innovation. The newly launched Leads Agri Genetics Lab will have a full-stack genomics service platform that is designed exclusively for the agri-genomics and agricultural biotechnology sector.

Shri Ghanshyam Khandelwal, Chairman of BL Agro Group, addressed the media during the launch event, expressing his strong support for government initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of farmers. He emphasized the importance of genomics studies in enhancing agricultural productivity and yield. He said, such advancements will not only benefit the farming community but also contribute to the overall well-being of society.

Speaking on the inauguration, Navneet Ravikar, Group Chairman & Managing Director, Leads Connect Services said, “Indian agriculture is at an inflection point. Sustainability, climate challenges and pressure on higher yields are stressing the resources thin for our farmers. Our newly inaugurated Centre of Excellence for Cattle and Plant Genomics Laboratory is a landmark step towards self-reliance in agricultural biotechnology. With world-class genomic capabilities, we aim to empower India’s researchers, breeders, and farmers to innovate faster, build resilience, and create a sustainable future for agriculture.”

Leads Agri Genetics Centre of Excellence in Greater Noida

Leads Agri Genetics Centre of Excellence in Greater Noida 

Industry veteran with over two decades of experience Dr. Ashish Dubey is the Chief Business Officer of Integrated Centre of Excellence for Cattle and Plant Genomics Laboratory. Dr. Dubey, who also co-founded Redcliffe Labs, India’s fourth-largest diagnostics laboratory, is an expert in genomics projects spanning agriculture, human health, and diagnostics will strengthen the lab’s mission to advance genetic diversity research and genomic selection in cattle and crops.

“Genomics has transformed global science in the last decade, and agriculture stands to benefit immensely. At Leads Agri Genetics, our focus is on delivering end-to-end genomics solutions—from trait discovery to breeding acceleration—that directly impact productivity, sustainability, and food security,” said Dr. Ashish Dubey, CBO, Leads Agri Genetics.

Genomics has evolved over the decade exponentially due to its affordability and immense usage across the species including humans, plants and animals. After the Human Genome Project in 2003, there has been a paradigm shift in the field of research. The outcome from Genomics using Genomics selection in cattle and trait improvement in plants has been the biggest success stories with new GM Crops to BT cotton, and ultimately helping humankind for the sustainable and safer future.

By integrating world-class sequencing, genotyping, and bioinformatics, the lab empowers crop, livestock, and microbial researchers to accelerate trait discovery, breeding, and innovation with unmatched precision. The laboratory houses a cutting-edge suite of instruments including Illumina IScan for high-throughput SNP genotyping, NovaSeq for deep resequencing, PacBio and Oxford Nanopore for long-read assembly and structural variation analysis, and 10X Chromium for linked-read and single-cell assays. Together, this unique technology stack enables discovery across the full spectrum of genetic variation—from single nucleotide changes to complex structural rearrangements and haplotype phasing.

With access to multiple complementary sequencing and genotyping platforms, the Leads Agri Genetics Lab offers unmatched versatility, completeness, and customization. From comprehensive variant discovery and trait mapping to high-quality reference genome assembly and advanced transcriptomics, the lab is equipped to address challenges across crops, livestock, pests, and microbiomes—including non-model and polyploid species.

About Leads Agri-Genetics Pvt Ltd

Leads Agri-Genetics Pvt Ltd, a part of the renowned BL Agro Group, is advancing agriculture through Genetic Innovation. It is a pioneering force in agri-genomics, leveraging cutting-edge genetic research to revolutionize both animal and plant agriculture. By integrating advanced DNA sequencing, precision breeding, and data-driven genomic selection, the company aims to transform the way food is produced- ensuring higher yields, improved quality, and greater adaptability to climate change.

By bridging science and practical application, we empower farmers, agribusinesses, and research institutions to unlock the full potential of genetics in agriculture. Through continuous research, innovation, and collaboration, our company is driving a more resilient, productive, a n d sustainable agricultural future.

About Leads Connect Services

Leads Connect Services Pvt. Ltd. is a leading agri-tech, data-driven risk management, and financial services company committed to empowering rural, semi-urban, and urban economies within the agri-management ecosystem. By integrating cutting-edge technology with deep domain expertise, the company offers customized solutions spanning crop monitoring, risk analytics, and financial inclusion.

Its portfolio includes advanced agri-risk management services, such as automated identification of sowing and harvesting windows, crop phenology dynamics, acreage assessment, crop health and damage assessment, and yield modeling. The company has also developed an innovative framework to generate agri-credit scores, strengthening access to formal finance for farmers and agri-stakeholders.