The Tripura government is planning to increase milk production and strengthen the state’s dairy sector to address the gap between growing consumer demand and local supply. Animal Resources Development Department (ARDD) Minister Sudhangshu Das said the government is working on measures to expand milk production and improve the availability of milk and milk-based products across the state.
Speaking on the sidelines of a board meeting of the Gomati Cooperative Milk Union on September 30, Das said Tripura was seeking technical expertise and support from the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to strengthen dairy production and processing.
The initiative is expected to involve greater cooperation between the state government, dairy cooperatives and technical institutions as Tripura develops a roadmap for expanding its dairy sector.
Tripartite MoU Supports Dairy Development
A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed a few months ago between the Tripura government’s Animal Resources Development Department, the Gomati Cooperative Milk Union and the NDDB.
The agreement is aimed at promoting dairy development in Tripura and increasing the production of milk and milk-based products. The state government expects technical assistance through the partnership to help address existing production and processing challenges.
Das said the primary objective is to increase milk and dairy product production because demand for milk in Tripura currently exceeds the state’s production levels.
The involvement of NDDB is expected to provide technical expertise and support for improving milk production as well as processing infrastructure. Such assistance could help strengthen the cooperative dairy system and improve the supply chain connecting milk producers with consumers.
Gomati Cooperative Milk Union at the Centre
The Gomati Cooperative Milk Union is expected to play an important role in the state’s efforts to expand dairy production. The board meeting focused on measures to increase milk production through the cooperative and improve the availability of dairy products across Tripura.
Cooperative milk unions can provide farmers with organised channels for milk collection, processing and marketing. Strengthening these systems can also help integrate individual dairy farmers into a more structured dairy supply chain.
The meeting brought together representatives from the Gomati Cooperative Milk Union, NDDB and the Tripura government. Participants included the chairman of the Gomati Cooperative Milk Union, the head of NDDB’s North Eastern operations, the ARD Department secretary and other board members and officials.
Focus on Production and Processing
The state’s dairy development plans are expected to cover both milk production and processing. Increasing production alone may not address supply challenges unless adequate collection, processing and distribution infrastructure are available.
Technical support from NDDB is therefore expected to be relevant to multiple stages of the dairy value chain. This could include improving production practices, strengthening cooperative systems and developing processing capacity for milk and milk-based products.
| Key Area | Planned Focus |
|---|---|
| Milk production | Increase local production |
| Dairy processing | Strengthen processing capabilities |
| Cooperative system | Expand the role of Gomati Cooperative Milk Union |
| Technical support | Expertise from NDDB |
| Dairy products | Improve availability of milk-based products |
| Supply | Address the gap between demand and local production |
Stakeholder Inputs to Shape Roadmap
According to Minister Das, suggestions from different stakeholders will be considered while preparing the roadmap for expanding dairy production in Tripura.
The approach brings together government officials, cooperative representatives and technical experts to identify measures that can strengthen the state’s dairy sector. The government also expects support from the central government and technical institutions to contribute to achieving its production objectives.
The initiative comes as Tripura seeks to reduce the gap between local milk supply and consumer demand. Greater milk production, improved processing and stronger cooperative infrastructure could help increase the availability of locally produced dairy products.
The collaboration between the Tripura government, Gomati Cooperative Milk Union and NDDB marks a coordinated effort to strengthen the state’s dairy ecosystem. The roadmap emerging from stakeholder consultations will determine the measures taken to expand production and improve the supply of milk and milk-based products across Tripura.
