Daijiworld Media Network - Imphal
Imphal, Feb 1: In a significant move to enhance milk production in Manipur, a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Friday between the state government bodies and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). The agreement was signed in the presence of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, involving the Manipur Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department, Manipur Milk Producers’ Co-operative Union Ltd, and NDDB.
Officials stated that the MoU formalizes the transfer of management of the Manipur Milk Producers’ Co-operative Union Ltd to NDDB, with an aim to revamp the dairy sector in the state. Expressing his happiness over the long-awaited development, the Chief Minister emphasized the crucial role of milk in human nutrition and underscored the need to bridge the gap between the state’s milk demand and production.
Highlighting Manipur’s legacy of producing Olympians and top-tier athletes, Singh pointed out that milk serves as an essential dietary supplement, particularly for sportspersons who may not always afford expensive nutrition plans. He thanked the co-operative union members for their willingness to hand over operations to NDDB and expressed optimism about a significant rise in milk production.
Stressing the importance of grazing land for dairy development, the Chief Minister urged NDDB to submit proposals for suitable sites in consultation with local farmers. He assured full cooperation and support for NDDB’s initiatives aimed at dairy expansion.
Chairman of NDDB, Meenesh Shah, recalled the success of ‘Operation Flood,’ which transformed India into the world’s largest milk producer, with current production exceeding 239 million metric tons. He highlighted milk’s contribution of 4-5% to the country’s GDP and reiterated NDDB’s developmental approach, particularly in northeastern states, without any business interests.
The collaboration is expected to significantly strengthen Manipur’s dairy sector and contribute to India’s broader vision of ‘Viksit Bharat.’