National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD): microbiology lab for Sikkim Milk Union – Union Minister Lalan Singh to inaugurate (2–3 Nov)

2 November 2026 · English Health

Topics: Health & Dairy · 2 November 2026 Current Affairs (UPSC / TNPSC / SSC / RRB)

News

Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) visits Gangtok and Mangan districts of Sikkim on 2–3 Nov 2026. He will inaugurate a microbiology laboratory for the Sikkim Milk Union under the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD). Other events: launch of 57 new Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCS) under 'White Revolution 2.0', 15 new societies in North Sikkim, a traceability initiative for 'Churpi' cheese made at Gangtok and Jorethang, two 'Fodder Plus' FPOs under the 10,000 FPO scheme, and launch of organic honey and millet/buckwheat products.

Key facts

Background

• NPDD: a Central Sector Scheme (funded by the Centre) launched in 2014 and restructured in July 2021, implemented by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD). Component A – milk-quality testing infrastructure and primary chilling; Component B – cooperative dairy infrastructure in 9 States with Japan's JICA assistance. In March 2025 it was raised by ₹1,000 crore to ₹2,790 crore, targeting 10,000 new dairy cooperative societies.
• Science: a microbiology lab detects bacterial counts and pathogens in milk. In the 'Methylene Blue Reduction Test' (MBRT), more bacteria use up oxygen faster, so the blue dye fades sooner – a shorter fading time means poorer quality. Pasteurisation kills disease-causing microbes in milk.
• Sikkim's dairy: 'Churpi' is the traditional hard cheese of the Himalayas, made from yak or cow milk. 'Siri' is the native cattle breed of the Sikkim, Darjeeling and Bhutan hills – strong legs suited to ploughing and a thick long coat. Sikkim was declared India's first fully organic State in 2016.
• Cooperative structure: the 'Anand pattern' three-tier model – village dairy cooperative society → district milk union → State federation. The Sikkim Milk Union is the middle tier. The 10,000 FPO scheme was launched in 2020.

Tamil Nadu link: In Tamil Nadu the apex body of the same 'Anand pattern' three-tier cooperative system is the Tamil Nadu Co-operative Milk Producers' Federation (TCMPF – 'Aavin'), registered on 1 Feb 1981. The same three tiers – village societies → district milk unions → TCMPF – operate here.

Source: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying via The NewsMill, Punjab Kesari, 1 Nov 2026; PIB / IANS (revised NPDD, 19 Mar 2025); Aavin (aavin.tn.gov.in)

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