Tripura govt signs MoU with NDDB to boost milk production, drive 'White Revolution 2.0'
Agartala, June 23
In a major step towards achieving self-sufficiency in milk production and strengthening the dairy sector, Tripura's Animal Resources Development Department and the National Dairy Development Board on Tuesday signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, who described the initiative as transformative, aimed at enhancing milk production, improving cooperative infrastructure, and creating better market opportunities for dairy producers across the state.
Saha said Tripura currently produces around 2.63 lakh metric tonnes of milk annually, translating to nearly 7.2 lakh litres per day. He expressed confidence that the agreement would modernise the state's dairy cooperative sector, paving the way for increased milk production and greater self-reliance.
A senior official said the collaboration among the state government, NDDB, and the Gomati Cooperative Milk Producers' Union Ltd (GCMPUL) would help create a stronger, more sustainable dairy ecosystem, benefiting thousands of farmers and rural households.
Emphasising the need to transform the dairy sector, Saha said Tripura must actively participate in the country's dairy-led White Revolution. He stressed the importance of increasing milk production, strengthening infrastructure, and enhancing farmer incomes.
The MoU seeks to facilitate the implementation of a Comprehensive Cooperative Dairy Development Plan (CCDDP) aligned with the national vision for White Revolution 2.0. The partnership aims to strengthen cooperatives, improve productivity, modernise infrastructure, promote digitalisation, and create sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Highlighting progress in livestock development, Saha noted that milk production in Tripura has been growing at nearly 6.5 per cent annually, with per capita availability reaching 173 grams per person per day - the highest among Northeastern states. However, he observed that only a limited portion enters the organised processing network.
He said the state's dairy plant has the capacity to process 40,000 litres daily but remains underutilised. Increased procurement, he added, would support expansion of value-added products such as paneer, curd, ghee, lassi, ice cream, and sweets, generating additional income opportunities.
NDDB Chairman Meenesh Shah presented a roadmap for cooperative dairy development in Tripura, focusing on productivity, infrastructure, and market access. Under the agreement, the state government will provide policy support, GCMPUL will act as the nodal agency, and NDDB will offer technical expertise, capacity-building, and market development assistance.
The programme was attended by Animal Resources Development Minister Sudhangshu Das, Cooperation Minister Shukla Charan Noatia, senior officials, and representatives of the dairy sector.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I appreciate the focus on value-added products like paneer and ghee. But just signing an MoU isn't enough. The real challenge will be getting local farmers to join the cooperative network and ensuring they get fair prices. In many states, middlemen still exploit small dairy farmers. Hope Tripura learns from past mistakes.
Interesting development. Coming from a dairy farming background in the US, I see similarities in how India is modernizing its dairy sector. The 40,000 litres per day plant being underutilized is concerning though. They should focus on marketing and branding to increase consumption. Northeastern India has amazing potential for organic dairy products.
This is such a positive step! My grandmother still tells me stories about how Amul transformed Gujarat. If Tripura can build a similar model, it will not only boost milk production but also empower women in rural areas who do most of the dairy work. White Revolution 2.0 should be a priority for all northeastern states. 🌟
Good initiative but I'm cautiously optimistic. The per capita availability of 173 grams is decent but still below the national average of around 400 grams. The real test will be implementation and whether the benefits actually reach small farmers. Also, with climate change affecting fodder availability, they need a holistic plan. Let's see how this plays out.
It's great to see state governments focusing on primary sectors like dairy. In Canada, dairy is heavily regulated but supports farmers well. The key here is the cooperative model - if farmers have ownership and a voice, it works beautifully. NDDB has
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