Rajiv Ranjan Singh to launch ₹251.56 lakh dairy projects in Sikkim on Nov 2-3
Synopsis
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh's two-day Sikkim visit brings ₹251.56 lakh in dairy and livestock investments — including 57 new cooperatives, a Churpi cheese traceability system, and new organic product launches — as the Centre doubles down on integrating the Northeast into its dairy development framework.
Key Takeaways
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh will inaugurate projects worth ₹251.56 lakh in Sikkim on 2–3 November 2026 .
57 new Dairy Cooperative Societies will be launched under White Revolution 2.0 , along with 15 new DCSs in North Sikkim .
A traceability initiative for Churpi cheese from Gangtok and Jorethang will be unveiled.
Sikkim recorded milk production of 89.35 thousand metric tonnes and per capita availability of 352 grams per day in 2024–25 .
DAHD has released ₹7,093.99 lakh under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission for Sikkim since 2014 .
Under NPDD , nine projects worth ₹59.60 crore have been sanctioned, with ₹52.61 crore already utilised.
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh is set to inaugurate projects and initiatives worth ₹251.56 lakh in Sikkim on 2–3 November 2026, aimed at bolstering dairy development and livestock infrastructure across the state, according to an official statement.
Key Developments During the Visit
The minister will travel to Gangtok and Mangan districts over the two-day visit. Among the headline activities, he will review ongoing dairy development initiatives and formally inaugurate a microbiology laboratory for the Sikkim Milk Union under the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD).
Singh will also launch initiatives for the establishment of 57 new Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCSs) under White Revolution 2.0, and distribute registration certificates to five newly registered DCSs. Additionally, the formation of 15 new DCSs in North Sikkim will be formally launched, expanding the cooperative dairy network to more farmers in the region.
Traceability Push for Churpi Cheese and New Product Launches
A notable highlight of the visit will be the unveiling of a traceability initiative for Churpi cheese manufactured in Gangtok and Jorethang — a move aimed at adding transparency and quality assurance to one of Sikkim's signature dairy products. The minister will also unveil new products including organic honey, Niger seed-blended powder, and organic biscuits and sweets made from millets and buckwheat, marking a step towards product diversification and value addition.
Two Fodder Plus Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) for the Sikkim Milk Union will be promoted under the Government of India's 10,000 FPO Scheme, strengthening supply-chain linkages for fodder and dairy produce.
Sikkim's Dairy Sector: Where It Stands
Sikkim has emerged as a meaningful contributor to dairy development in the Northeastern Region (NER). In 2024–25, the state recorded milk production of approximately 89.35 thousand metric tonnes, with per capita milk availability of around 352 grams per day.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) has released ₹7,093.99 lakh under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) since 2014. A special project worth ₹2,763.92 lakh has also been sanctioned for the development and conservation of the indigenous Siri cattle breed.
Yak Conservation and NPDD Funding
Yak conservation has been a parallel priority. An amount of ₹100 lakh was released during 2023–24 for yak development in the state, and a further ₹100 lakh has been released in the current financial year 2026–27 for the procurement of High Genetic Merit (HGM) yak bulls under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission.
Under the NPDD, DAHD has sanctioned nine projects with a total outlay of ₹59.60 crore, including a Central share of ₹54.61 crore. Of this, ₹53.59 crore has been released and ₹52.61 crore utilised so far.
The visit underscores the Centre's continued focus on integrating Northeastern states into national dairy and livestock development frameworks, with Sikkim's unique produce — from Churpi cheese to millet-based goods — increasingly positioned for value-added markets.
Point of View
But the programmatic breadth — traceability for Churpi cheese, 57 new cooperatives, yak conservation funding, and millet-based product diversification — signals a more structured attempt to link Sikkim's niche agricultural identity to national value chains. The real question is institutional staying power: cooperative societies in hilly terrain have historically struggled with last-mile connectivity and cold-chain gaps. Whether White Revolution 2.0 addresses those structural bottlenecks, or simply adds to a growing register of announced cooperatives, will determine whether this visit translates into durable dairy incomes for Sikkimese farmers.
NationPress
2 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What projects is Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh launching in Sikkim?
Rajiv Ranjan Singh is inaugurating projects worth ₹251.56 lakh in Sikkim on 2–3 November 2026, covering a microbiology laboratory for the Sikkim Milk Union, 57 new Dairy Cooperative Societies under White Revolution 2.0, a Churpi cheese traceability initiative, and new organic food products. The visit spans Gangtok and Mangan districts.
What is White Revolution 2.0 and how does it relate to Sikkim?
White Revolution 2.0 is a Government of India initiative to expand cooperative dairy infrastructure and boost milk production. In Sikkim, it will be used to establish 57 new Dairy Cooperative Societies and 15 additional DCSs in North Sikkim, bringing more farmers into the formal cooperative dairy network.
What is the Churpi cheese traceability initiative?
The initiative will introduce a traceability system for Churpi cheese — a traditional Himalayan hard cheese — manufactured in Gangtok and Jorethang, Sikkim. It is aimed at ensuring product transparency, quality assurance, and potentially supporting the brand's positioning in premium domestic and export markets.
How much has the Centre invested in Sikkim's dairy sector so far?
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) has released ₹7,093.99 lakh under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission since 2014. A special project of ₹2,763.92 lakh has been sanctioned for Siri cattle conservation, and nine NPDD projects worth ₹59.60 crore have been sanctioned, of which ₹52.61 crore has been utilised.
Why is yak conservation part of Sikkim's dairy development agenda?
Yaks are integral to the livelihoods of high-altitude communities in North Sikkim. The Centre released ₹100 lakh for yak development in 2023–24 and a further ₹100 lakh in 2026–27 for procuring High Genetic Merit yak bulls under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, aiming to improve herd quality and sustain a breed unique to India's northeastern Himalayan belt.
