A new incentive review, farmer training and cooperative investment are strengthening Sikkim’s dairy sector.
The Sikkim Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union Limited has reinforced its support for dairy farmers through a review of its ₹8 per litre milk incentive scheme and a new round of training and cooperative development programs. During a state-level monitoring meeting in Gangtok, officials from the Finance, Cooperation and Animal Husbandry departments assessed how the incentive fund was distributed during the 2024–25 financial year.
Committee members concluded that the milk incentive program is being implemented effectively and expressed satisfaction with the auditing and monitoring process. The group recommended that any unspent funds or interest earned should only be used after government approval, particularly if additional support is needed to maintain incentive payments in the future.
The meeting also highlighted operational challenges facing dairy cooperatives. Route supervisors from the Milk Union raised concerns about staff shortages that are slowing the auditing process for village-level milk societies. Officials from the Cooperation Department acknowledged the issue and promised to prioritize dairy cooperatives so that payment systems and oversight can continue without delays.
At the same time, the Milk Union expanded its efforts to improve dairy productivity and knowledge sharing. A delegation from the National Dairy Development Board and 25 dairy farmers from Mizoram and Meghalaya visited Sikkim to study the state’s cooperative dairy model. The group toured milk producer societies and the union’s processing plant in Gangtok to learn more about milk procurement, farmer support and sustainable dairy practices.
Looking ahead, the Sikkim Milk Union has selected 50 dairy farmers from across the state for a five-day training program at the Eastern Regional Dairy Training Centre in Siliguri. The course will focus on scientific dairy management, feed and fodder planning, ration balancing and methods to increase milk production. According to Managing Director Dr. T. B. Ghatani, these initiatives are designed to strengthen farmer incomes, improve milk quality and build a more resilient dairy sector in Sikkim.
Source: Information and Public Relations Department of Sikkim – Original press release
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