NDMU Mangan holds Awareness Drive for Dairy Cooperative Societies
Mangan, May 14:
A series of Awareness Drives for the Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCS) under the aegis of North District Milk Union (NDMU), funded by the Cooperation Department, GoS was successfully conducted by NDMU, Mangan recently.
Four separate awareness programmes were conducted in respective areas under four different clusters, covering various Dairy Cooperative Societies under NDMU. The programmes witnessed active participation from members of the Managing Committees, milk producers, dairy cooperative societies, local Panchayat representatives, and officials from Cooperation Department, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Department, SISCO Bank, and NDMU.
The awareness programmes were organised in the following clusters
1. CLUSTER 1:
◦ NAMOK 1 DAIRY COOPERATIVE SOCIETY
◦ NAMOK 2 DAIRY COOPERATIVE SOCIETY
◦ ROBI CHONGTHANG MILK COLLECTION CENTER
2. CLUSTER 2:
◦ UPPER TINGZEY DAIRY COOPERATIVE SOCIETY
◦ TINGZEY DAIRY COOPERATIVE SOCIETY
◦ TIBUK DAIRY COPERATIVE SOCIETY
3. CLUSTER 3
◦ RINGHIM DAIRY COOPERATIVE SOCIETY
◦ NAMPATAM DAIRY COPERATIVE SOCIETY
◦ KALAW DAIRY COOPERATIVE SOCIETY
4. CLUSTER 4
◦ AMBITHANG DAIRY COOPERATIVE SOCIETY
◦ CHANDAY DIARY COOPERATIVE SOCIETY
◦ NADEY DAIRY COOPERATIVE SOCIETY
◦ BRINGBONG DAIRY COOPERATIVE SOCIETY
◦ RAMAM MILK COLLECTION CENTER
◦ MANUL MILK COLLECTION CENTER
The primary objective of the awareness programmes was to create awareness among the Managing Bodies and members of the Dairy Cooperative Societies regarding the importance of cooperative functioning, active participation, and sustainable dairy development. A Total of 288 farmers actively participated in this programme. The programme also focused on reviving dormant dairy cooperative societies and strengthening the functioning of existing societies under NDMU. The house unanimously decided to revive Namok 1 DCS and Ralak DCS .
The awareness drive aimed to sensitize the participants on various important aspects such as:
• Importance of cooperative movement in rural livelihood generation.
• Roles and responsibilities of the Managing Body of Dairy Cooperative Societies.
• Proper maintenance of records and transparent functioning of societies.
• Strengthening milk procurement and dairy-related activities.
• Encouraging active participation of farmers and youth in dairy cooperatives.
• Government support schemes and benefits available through cooperative institutions.
• Measures for reviving inactive and dormant Dairy Cooperative Societies.
All the awareness programmes were chaired by Shri Samten Bhutia, Managing Director, NDMU, who highlighted the importance of dairy cooperatives in improving the socio-economic condition of rural farmers and dairy producers. During his address, he emphasized the need for collective responsibility, transparency, and coordinated efforts among cooperative members for the smooth functioning and long-term sustainability of Dairy Cooperative Societies.
The awareness programmes also witnessed the presence and participation of the concerned area Panchayats of Ringhim Nampatam GPU, Mangshila Tibuk GPU and Namok Swayam GPU, thus bringing the status of the various DCS in the areas to light, the shortcomings and the potential of the DCS in their areas.
The Panchayat members appreciated the initiative undertaken by NDMU, Cooperation Department and AH&VD Department and assured their support and cooperation towards the development and strengthening of Dairy Cooperative Societies in their respective areas.
The officials of Cooperation Department Mr. Atish Rai, Deputy Registrar, Mangan, Mr. Reekpa Hissay, Assistant Registrar, Mr. Pema Wangchuk Bhutia, Assistant Registrar, Ms. Bandana Tamang, CI , Ms. Niruta Subba, CI, Ms. Dowmit Lepcha, Inspector and other ACI and other staffs delivered a session on working of DCS, and the role and responsibilities of Managing committee of DCS. The department urged the DCS for proper record keeping, timely AGM, audit and continuous interaction with the concerned Department for progress. The revival of the dormant societies was also discussed and positive response was noted from the farmers.
The AH&VS Department represented by Dr. Dechen O Kaleon, Additional Director, Mangan, Shri Vishal Tewari, Additonal Director, Dairy, Dr . Rinchen L Bhutia, VO (Mangan), Dr. Rajat Bagdas VO (Phodong) disseminated information various schemes for the farmers by the department like livestock insurance, vaccination drives, animal
Registration, Artificial Insemination using sex sorted semen for breed improvement, scientific feeding practices, record keeping etc. The department encouraged farmers to integrate scientific management focused on feeding, clean milk production etc.
The representatives from SISCO Bank headed by Ms. Tshering Palmu Bhutia, Assistant Mangaer, Mangan Branch and her team informed farmers regarding various schemes of bank ranging from KCC loan to insurance etc. They also alerted the public regarding scams and to be digitally aware regarding their banking transactions.
The team from NDMU headed by Dr. Hissay Doma Lepcha, Managing Director, NDMU cum JD/AHVS, Mangan, Mr. Aron Limboo, ADDO, NDMU presented the present status of the mentioned DCS to the house, milk collected in the FY 2025-2026, total members, total pouring members, milk incentive availed @ Rs. 8/lit by the DCS in the year 2025-2026 through DBT. Further the achievements by the new managing committee and the constrains faced by the union and the DCS were discussed at large.
Interactive sessions and discussions were also held during the programmes, where participants shared their concerns, challenges, and suggestions regarding the functioning of the Dairy Cooperative Societies. The officials of NDMU addressed the queries raised by the participants and provided necessary guidance and support for improving the operational efficiency of the societies.
The awareness drive concluded successfully in all four clusters with positive participation and response from the Dairy Cooperative Society members and stakeholders. The top milk producers of the mentioned DCS were felicitated and given cattle feed to encourage them and acknowledge their hard work. The farmers were provided with mineral mixtures and necessary veterinary medicine too. The programme is expected to contribute significantly towards the revival of dormant societies and strengthening of existing Dairy Cooperative Societies under NDMU.