New Delhi, June 29 (IANS): The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which markets the Amul brand of milk and dairy products, on Wednesday said it plans to expand its milk processing capacity by 2017.

According to the new plans, the company will increase its milk processing capacity to 320 lakh litres per day (LLPD) by March 2017 from 280 LLPD.

"Our plants have a milk handling capacity of 280 LLPD. Last year, Amul produced almost 170 LLPD," said R.S. Sodhi, Managing Director, GCMMF. 

"The production is at its peak during winter. We are aiming at increasing our production to 320 LLPD by March," Sodhi told reporters at the sidelines of an event here.

The company said the rise in milk prices had not eroded its market share. 

"The trust in Amul brand is blind faith. We always sell fresh milk," Sodhi said.

In 2015-16, Amul achieved a growth of 67 per cent to clock a turnover of Rs 23,004 crore.

Besides the increase in milk processing capacity, the company plans to launch new products in the Indian sweets category.

"We are launching Rasmalai and Rasgulla... This is the first time Rasmalai will come in a branded form in India, with a shelf life of one year. It will be in frozen form," Sodhi added.

In addition, the company aims to engage youth by leveraging the connection between energy of milk and sports. 

Amul announced that it has invested an amount of Rs 1 crore on account of being the official sponsor of the Indian contingent at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

“Amul is committed to strengthening the Olympic movement in India and encourage young generation from all over the country to take up Olympic sports," Sodhi added.

"I take great pleasure and pride in announcing our sponsorship of the Indian contingent to the Olympic Games Rio 2016.”