Dairy Development Boost in Sikkim with 57 New Cooperative Societies

A new phase of dairy growth is set to begin in Sikkim, with Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) planning a visit to Gangtok and Mangan districts on November 2 and 3. The trip will focus on dairy infrastructure, cooperative expansion, and value-added products worth Rs 251.56 lakh.

During the visit, the minister will review dairy development programmes and open a microbiology laboratory for the Sikkim Milk Union. The laboratory is being set up under the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD).

The centrepiece of the campaign is 'White Revolution 2.0', under which 57 new dairy cooperative societies will be established. Registration certificates will also be handed over to five societies registered recently. Separately, 15 new dairy cooperatives will be formed in North Sikkim, bringing more dairy farmers into the cooperative dairy network.

A traceability initiative will be launched for 'Churpi' cheese produced in Gangtok and Jorethang, according to an official statement. The initiative aims to make product information easy to trace.

Two 'Fodder Plus' farmer producer organisations will also be promoted for the Sikkim Milk Union under the Government of India's 10,000 FPO scheme.

The minister will unveil a range of new products, including organic honey, a Niger seed (ramtil) mixed powder, and organic biscuits and sweets made from bajra and buckwheat. The move is aimed at diversifying the product range and adding value.

Sikkim has played a key role in dairy development across the North Eastern Region. In 2024-25, the state produced about 89.35 thousand metric tonnes of milk, and per capita milk availability was around 352 grams per day.

DAHD has released Rs 7,093.99 lakh to Sikkim since 2014 under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) to support dairy sector growth. A special Rs 2,763.92 lakh project has been approved for developing and conserving the 'Siri' breed, a local cattle breed.

Yak development and conservation received Rs 100 lakh in 2023-24. In the current financial year 2026-27, Rs 100 lakh has been released under RGM to purchase high genetic quality (HGM) yak bulls.

Under NPDD, nine projects costing Rs 59.60 crore have been approved by DAHD, with the central share at Rs 54.61 crore. Of this, Rs 53.59 crore has been released, and Rs 52.61 crore has been utilised.