The Sikkim Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union Limited (SMU) organised two one-day awareness programmes on Clean Milk Production (CMP) and Good Hygienic Practices (GHP) under the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) at Daramdin on February 19 and Namchi–Singithang on February 23.
At Saprey Nagi Milk Producers’ Cooperative Society, SMU Chairman Y.K. Sharma inaugurated a newly constructed Bulk Milk Cooler shed, funded with Rs 5 lakh under NPDD and Rs 9.65 lakh contributed by the society. Around 120 farmers from seven societies participated. Established in 1987, the society currently earns nearly Rs 97 lakh annually through milk sales and incentives.
At Upper Salghari, Vice Chairman Dewan Rai addressed nearly 100 farmers. Technical sessions focused on cooperative strengthening, timely audits, clean milk production and tackling fodder scarcity. Hand-driven chaff cutter allotment orders were distributed, and farmers received deworming medicines and mineral mixtures. Officials highlighted incentives, including Rs 8 per litre milk support and infrastructure assistance, reaffirming SMU’s commitment to enhancing dairy livelihoods.