Mizoram dairy sector gets Centre push: 90:10 funding, MULCO expansion
Synopsis
The Centre has quietly rewritten the financial playbook for Mizoram's dairy sector — shifting the funding ratio from 75:25 to 90:10 in the state's favour. With MULCO products now set for wider market reach and NDDB backing cattle breed upgrades, the push signals a serious attempt to close Mizoram's milk deficit. Whether the state machinery can match the Centre's ambition is the real question.
Key Takeaways
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh visited MULCO 's dairy unit at Thuampui, Aizawl on 25 May 2025 .
Centre-state dairy funding ratio revised from 75:25 to 90:10 , easing financial burden on Mizoram .
MULCO products including paneer , rasmalai , and ghee to be marketed more widely in Aizawl and nearby markets.
New products launched: MULCO Cow Ghee , baled silage, Type-II cattle feed, dewormers, and mineral mixtures.
NDDB to support quality cattle breed improvement through Artificial Insemination and better feed access.
Fisheries Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) and awards for Best Startup and Best Cooperatives in Fisheries also distributed.
Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh on Monday, 25 May announced a series of initiatives to bolster the cooperative dairy sector in Mizoram, during a visit to the Mizoram Multi-Commodity Producers Cooperative Union (MULCO) dairy unit at Thuampui in Aizawl district. The announcements included a revised Centre-state funding ratio and expanded market access for MULCO products.
Key Announcements
The most significant policy shift was the revision of the Centre-state funding ratio from 75:25 to 90:10, substantially reducing the financial burden on the Mizoram government and expected to accelerate dairy development activities across the state. Singh described the revised pattern as encouraging news for both farmers and the state administration.
The Minister further stated that milk-processing plants and village-level milk procurement systems would continue to be upgraded. In collaboration with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), quality cattle breeds through Artificial Insemination, along with improved cattle feed and fodder, would be made more accessible to farmers.
MULCO Products and Market Expansion
Singh announced that MULCO products manufactured within Mizoram — including paneer, rasmalai, and ghee — would be marketed more extensively in Aizawl and nearby markets to enhance local business opportunities and increase farmers' income. Several new products were also launched during the programme, including MULCO Cow Ghee, baled silage, Type-II cattle feed, dewormers, and mineral mixture products.
The Challenge: Low Milk Production
Singh acknowledged that milk production in Mizoram remains low and is currently insufficient to meet local demand. He stressed that the state should not lag behind neighbouring Northeastern states and urged farmers and officials to work with renewed commitment. This comes amid a broader push by the Centre to strengthen agricultural and livestock infrastructure across the Northeast, a region that has historically received lower per-capita investment in dairy infrastructure compared to states like Gujarat and Punjab.
What Officials Said
NDDB Chairman Meenesh Shah highlighted the importance of strengthening dairy cooperatives and improving milk-processing infrastructure in Mizoram. Commissioner and Secretary of the Cooperation Department Udit Prakash Rai outlined the various plans being undertaken to strengthen the state's cooperative dairy sector. Farmers associated with MULCO and fish farmers shared their experiences of benefits derived from Central Government initiatives.
Certificates related to fisheries, Fisheries Kisan Credit Cards (KCC), awards for Best Startup in Fisheries, and recognitions for Best Fisheries Cooperatives were also presented during the programme. Union Ministers of State George Kurian and S.P. Singh Baghel, along with several Mizoram ministers and senior officials, were present at the event.
Singh emphasised that while the Centre remains committed to extending maximum support to the Northeast, the real success of these initiatives would depend on the dedication and active participation of the state government and livestock farmers. With the revised funding structure now in place, all eyes will be on whether Mizoram's dairy cooperatives can convert policy intent into measurable gains on the ground.
Point of View
But funding ratios alone have rarely transformed agricultural sectors. Mizoram's milk deficit is as much a structural problem — limited land, fragmented smallholdings, cold-chain gaps — as a financial one. The NDDB's involvement in cattle breed improvement is the more consequential announcement, since genetics and feed quality are the actual bottlenecks. The real test will be whether MULCO can build consistent procurement volume before the next political cycle resets priorities.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh announce for Mizoram's dairy sector?
Singh announced a revision of the Centre-state funding ratio from 75:25 to 90:10 for dairy development in Mizoram, expanded marketing of MULCO products, and NDDB-backed cattle breed improvement through Artificial Insemination. The announcements were made during his visit to the MULCO dairy unit at Thuampui, Aizawl on 25 May 2025.
What is MULCO and what products does it make?
MULCO, or the Mizoram Multi-Commodity Producers Cooperative Union, is a cooperative dairy unit based in Aizawl district. It produces dairy items including paneer, rasmalai, and ghee, and has now launched new products such as Cow Ghee, baled silage, and Type-II cattle feed.
How does the revised 90:10 funding ratio benefit Mizoram?
Under the revised ratio, the Central Government now bears 90% of dairy development costs while Mizoram contributes only 10%, down from the earlier 25% state share. This significantly reduces the financial burden on the state government and is expected to accelerate infrastructure upgrades in milk processing and village-level procurement.
Why is Mizoram's milk production a concern?
Milk production in Mizoram currently falls short of local demand, making the state dependent on supplies from elsewhere. The Minister urged farmers and officials to work with greater commitment so that Mizoram does not lag behind other Northeastern states in dairy output.
What role will the NDDB play in Mizoram's dairy development?
The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) will support quality cattle breed improvement through Artificial Insemination and improve access to better cattle feed and fodder for Mizoram farmers. NDDB Chairman Meenesh Shah was present at the event and stressed the need to strengthen dairy cooperatives and milk-processing infrastructure in the state.
