India's dairy development programme is set to receive another boost through a series of initiatives announced for Sikkim, with the Central Government focusing on cooperative expansion, livestock infrastructure, product quality and market access.
Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh, also known as Lalan Singh, is scheduled to visit Gangtok and Mangan districts on November 2 and 3, 2026, to review dairy development activities and launch several initiatives.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Issue/Event: Dairy development and livestock infrastructure initiatives worth ₹251.56 lakh announced.
Location: India.
Authority/Organisation: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
Action Taken: Initiatives planned for 57 new dairy cooperatives, 15 additional societies in North Sikkim, a microbiology laboratory and Churpi cheese traceability.
Impact: Expected to strengthen dairy infrastructure, cooperative participation, product quality and market opportunities for farmers.
According to the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, projects and initiatives worth ₹251.56 lakh are planned during the visit.
Expansion of dairy cooperative networks
A major component of the programme is the initiative to establish 57 new Dairy Cooperative Societies under White Revolution 2.0.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
Dairy farming provides an important source of income for rural households. However, farmers often depend on local procurement networks and processing facilities to sell their milk at reliable prices. Expanding cooperative societies can help connect more producers with organised collection and marketing systems. Improved laboratory infrastructure may also strengthen quality monitoring, while traceability initiatives can support product transparency and consumer confidence. For Sikkim, the programme also creates an opportunity to promote traditional products and diversify rural income sources.
The government will also initiate the formation of 15 additional Dairy Cooperative Societies in North Sikkim. Five newly registered societies are scheduled to receive their registration certificates.
The expansion is intended to bring more milk-producing farmers into organised cooperative networks, potentially improving access to milk procurement, institutional support and markets.
New microbiology laboratory for Sikkim Milk Union
Another important component is the inauguration of a microbiology laboratory for the Sikkim Milk Union under the National Programme for Dairy Development.
The facility is expected to strengthen testing and quality-related infrastructure in the dairy sector. Better laboratory facilities can support monitoring of milk quality and improve confidence in dairy processing systems.
Traceability initiative for Churpi cheese
The programme will also introduce a traceability initiative for Churpi cheese manufactured in Gangtok and Jorethang.
Churpi is a traditional Himalayan dairy product. A traceability system can help improve the documentation of product origin and supply-chain movement, supporting transparency and quality assurance.
The initiative may also help local producers strengthen the market identity of their products.
Dairy Sector Performance and Government Support
According to the Ministry's latest figures for 2024–25, Sikkim recorded approximately 89.35 thousand metric tonnes of milk production.
Per capita milk availability in the state stood at around 352 grams per day.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has released ₹7,093.99 lakh under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission since 2014 to support dairy and livestock development.
A separate project worth ₹2,763.92 lakh has been sanctioned for the development and conservation of the indigenous Siri cattle breed.
For yak development and conservation, ₹100 lakh was released during 2023–24. Another ₹100 lakh was released during the 2026–27 financial year for procuring High Genetic Merit yak bulls.
Under the National Programme for Dairy Development, nine projects with a total outlay of ₹59.60 crore have been sanctioned for Sikkim. The Central Government's share is ₹54.61 crore, of which ₹53.59 crore has been released and ₹52.61 crore utilised.
Support for fodder and product diversification
Two Fodder Plus Farmer Producer Organisations for the Sikkim Milk Union will also be promoted under the Government's 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations Scheme.
The minister is also scheduled to unveil new products, including organic honey, Niger seed-blended powder, and organic biscuits and sweets made from millets and buckwheat.
These measures are aimed at encouraging product diversification and value addition while creating additional market opportunities for locally produced goods.
The programme will involve representatives of the Sikkim Government, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the National Dairy Development Board, dairy farmers, cooperative societies and farmer producer organisations.
