Sikkim Dairy Output Jumps 79 Percent Over Decade

Gangtok: Sikkim’s daily milk production climbed 79 percent over the last decade. Daily output jumped from 1.37 lakh litres in 2014-15 to 2.45 lakh litres in 2025-26. Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh confirmed these figures during his Tuesday visit to the Sikkim Co-operative Milk Producers' Union Limited at Tadong.

Cooperative reach expanded alongside production. The number of dairy societies surged from 389 to 733. Membership grew from 10,000 to 16,000 farmers. Daily milk procurement spiked from 17,000 litres to 61,000 litres. Singh noted the sector’s vital role, stating, "They were important in ensuring fair prices for farmers, maintaining milk quality through systematic testing and protecting consumer interests."

The Minister urged officials to bolster chilling and processing facilities to meet rising demand. He called for better livestock productivity and more value-added goods to hike rural income. During the event, Singh opened a Microbiology Laboratory at the Tadong processing plant and another at Karfectar via virtual link. He also debuted Churpi Traceability and Fodder Plus FPO products.

State officials handed out registration papers to five new societies: Relling MCC, Chandrodoya MCC, Taklak MCC, Lower Darakharka MCC, and Terpai MCC. These hubs span Gangtok, Geyzing, and Namchi districts. They serve 60 farmers and expect to move 357.1 litres of milk daily. Key attendees included State Minister Puran Kumar Gurung, Minister G T Dhungel, and advisor N B Pradhan, alongside top central bureaucrats Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Naresh Pal Gangwar, and Varsha Joshi.