Central initiatives focus on cooperative expansion, a microbiology laboratory, Churpi cheese traceability and value addition to strengthen Sikkim’s dairy sector.
SIKKIM: The Government of India has announced dairy development and livestock infrastructure initiatives worth ₹251.56 lakh for Sikkim during Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh’s two-day visit to the state on November 2–3, 2026.
The programme focuses on expanding dairy cooperative networks, strengthening milk quality testing, introducing traceability for traditional Churpi cheese and promoting value-added agricultural products. These measures are intended to improve farmers’ access to organised procurement systems and create additional opportunities for rural enterprises.
57 new dairy cooperative societies planned
A major component of the programme is the establishment of 57 new Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCS) in Sikkim under White Revolution 2.0.
The government has also proposed forming 15 additional dairy cooperative societies in North Sikkim. Five newly registered societies are scheduled to receive their registration certificates during the programme.
The expansion aims to bring more milk producers into organised cooperative networks, improving access to milk collection, institutional support and marketing channels.
Launched in September 2024, White Revolution 2.0 aims to establish 75,000 new dairy cooperative societies across India over five years. It also targets a 50% increase in milk procurement by dairy cooperatives, with an emphasis on strengthening rural livelihoods and women’s participation.
Microbiology laboratory to strengthen milk quality testing
The programme includes the inauguration of a microbiology laboratory for the Sikkim Milk Union under the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD).
The facility is expected to strengthen the state’s dairy testing infrastructure by supporting microbiological examination and quality monitoring. Improved laboratory capacity can help dairy institutions assess product quality more effectively and strengthen food-safety management across processing and procurement operations.
Churpi cheese traceability initiative
Another important initiative is the introduction of a traceability system for Churpi cheese produced in Gangtok and Jorethang.
Churpi is a traditional Himalayan dairy product with regional significance. A traceability system can help document product origin and movement through the supply chain, improving transparency and supporting quality assurance.
The initiative may also help local producers build a stronger market identity for traditional dairy products and explore opportunities beyond local markets.
Sikkim’s dairy production and livestock development
According to the figures provided by the Ministry for 2024–25, Sikkim recorded approximately 89.35 thousand metric tonnes of milk production, while per capita milk availability stood at around 352 grams per day.
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The state has also received support through various central livestock development programmes.
Under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has released ₹7,093.99 lakh since 2014 for dairy and livestock development, according to the supplied figures.
A separate project worth ₹2,763.92 lakh has been sanctioned for the development and conservation of the indigenous Siri cattle breed.
Support has also been extended to yak development and conservation. The government released ₹100 lakh during 2023–24 and another ₹100 lakh during 2026–27 for the procurement of High Genetic Merit yak bulls.
NPDD investments in dairy infrastructure
Under the National Programme for Dairy Development, nine projects with a total outlay of ₹59.60 crore have been sanctioned for Sikkim.
The funding details provided are:
- Total project outlay: ₹59.60 crore
- Central Government share: ₹54.61 crore
- Amount released: ₹53.59 crore
- Amount utilised: ₹52.61 crore
These investments are intended to strengthen dairy infrastructure, milk procurement and processing capacity in the state.
Fodder development and product diversification
The programme also includes support for two Fodder Plus Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) associated with the Sikkim Milk Union under the government’s scheme for the formation and promotion of 10,000 FPOs.
The initiative is expected to support fodder-related activities and improve the availability of feed resources for livestock farmers.
In addition, new products are scheduled to be unveiled, including:
- Organic honey
- Niger seed-blended powder
- Organic biscuits and sweets made from millets and buckwheat
These products reflect an effort to promote value addition and diversify income opportunities through locally sourced agricultural commodities.
Strengthening Sikkim’s dairy cooperative ecosystem
The initiatives bring together several aspects of dairy development, including cooperative expansion, livestock improvement, milk quality testing, traditional product traceability, fodder development and food processing.
For a hill state such as Sikkim, stronger local procurement networks and improved processing infrastructure can help connect small-scale producers with organised markets. Product diversification may also create opportunities to strengthen the commercial identity of regional foods.
What comes next?
The next phase will depend on the implementation of the announced initiatives. Key milestones include establishing the proposed dairy cooperative societies, making the microbiology laboratory operational, introducing the Churpi cheese traceability system and supporting the proposed FPOs.
The effectiveness of the programme will ultimately be reflected in improved milk procurement, stronger quality assurance, greater farmer participation and better market access for Sikkim’s dairy and agricultural products.
For the Indian dairy sector, Sikkim’s initiatives demonstrate how White Revolution 2.0 can be adapted to regional conditions by combining cooperative expansion with quality infrastructure, traditional product development and diversified rural enterprises.
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