In a significant move towards enhancing self-sufficiency in milk production and bolstering the dairy sector, Tripura’s Animal Resources Development Department (ARDD) and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) inked a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement, signed in the presence of Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, aims to revolutionize milk production, upgrade cooperative infrastructure, and create better market prospects for dairy farmers in the state.
Chief Minister Saha highlighted that Tripura presently generates approximately 2.63 lakh metric tonnes of milk annually, equivalent to nearly 7.2 lakh liters per day. He expressed optimism that the MoU would modernize the state’s dairy cooperative sector, leading to increased milk output and enhanced self-reliance. The collaboration involving the state government, NDDB, and the Gomati Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union Ltd (GCMPUL) is expected to establish a more robust and sustainable dairy ecosystem, benefiting numerous farmers and rural households.
Emphasizing the necessity of transforming the dairy industry, Chief Minister Saha stressed Tripura’s active involvement in the nation’s dairy-led White Revolution. He underlined the significance of boosting milk production, fortifying infrastructure, and improving farmer incomes. The MoU is designed to facilitate the execution of a Comprehensive Cooperative Dairy Development Plan (CCDDP) aligned with the national vision for White Revolution 2.0, focusing on strengthening cooperatives, enhancing productivity, modernizing infrastructure, promoting digitalization, and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Chief Minister Saha pointed out the positive strides in livestock development, noting that Tripura’s milk production has been growing at an annual rate of nearly 6.5 percent, with per capita availability reaching 173 grams per person per day – the highest among Northeastern states. However, he observed that only a limited portion of the production enters the organized processing network. He mentioned that the state’s dairy plant, with a daily processing capacity of 40,000 liters, remains underutilized. Increased procurement, he added, would facilitate the expansion of value-added products like paneer, curd, ghee, lassi, ice cream, and sweets, creating additional income avenues.
NDDB Chairman Meenesh Shah outlined a roadmap for cooperative dairy development in Tripura, focusing on productivity, infrastructure, and market access. Under the agreement, the state government will provide policy backing, GCMPUL will serve as the nodal agency, and NDDB will offer technical know-how, capacity-building, and market development support. The program was attended by Animal Resources Development Minister Sudhangshu Das, Cooperation Minister Shukla Charan Noatia, senior officials, and representatives from the dairy sector.
