The Manipur Milk Producers’ Co-operative Union, under the management of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), has been rebranded as ‘Manipur Dairy’. The new brand name and logo were unveiled at Raj Bhavan, Imphal, signalling a renewed focus on farmers and consumers with NDDB’s support. The launch also brought new products, digital platforms and infrastructure to strengthen the dairy sector in the state.
The launch was led by Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Governor of Manipur, marking a fresh identity for the cooperative. The event was attended by Puneet Kumar Goel, Chief Secretary, Government of Manipur, Dr Meenesh Shah, Chairman, NDDB, along with senior officials, cooperative members and women dairy farmers.
New Milk and Value Added Products
The Governor introduced new milk variants, Cow Special Milk (500 ml) and Health Plus Double Toned Milk (150 ml). He also launched a range of value added products, including Probiotic Curd (400 gm & 100 gm), Special Lassi (200 ml) and Cow Ghee (250 gm & 500 gm). These offerings are designed to address consumer preferences and health requirements while improving returns for dairy farmers.
Digital Systems and Infrastructure Expansion
The Governor virtually inaugurated NDDB’s Automated Milk Collection System (AMCS) and Dairy ERP platform at Manipur Dairy. These digital tools are expected to strengthen transparency, enable quality based milk procurement, and facilitate direct digital payments to farmers’ bank accounts. In addition, a 2 KL Bulk Milk Chilling Centre was inaugurated at Kakching to maintain milk quality and extend procurement in rural areas.
Further, the Governor announced the formation of five all women Dairy Cooperative Societies in Kakching district under White Revolution 2.0. Equipped with Automated Milk Collection Units (AMCU) and digital banking facilities, these cooperatives are aimed at empowering women, fostering entrepreneurship and encouraging rural participation in dairying.
Governor’s Address on Dairy Development
Speaking at the event, Governor Bhalla praised the progress achieved under NDDB’s stewardship, noting that Manipur has favourable agro climatic conditions and a cattle population of about 2.6 lakh, making the it well suited for dairy growth. He commended the Government of Manipur for transferring the management of the state’s Milk Union to NDDB in April 2025, calling it a turning point for the cooperative dairy sector.
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He highlighted that in a short span of time, NDDB had initiated reforms and programmes that were already showing results. He underlined that the new products, women’s cooperatives, digitalisation and infrastructure upgrades would support farmer incomes, nutrition security and rural prosperity, describing the developments as a milestone for self reliance in the state.
NDDB’s Support and Commitments
Dr Meenesh Shah, Chairman of NDDB, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to strengthening the Manipur Milk Union. He informed that NDDB had extended a grant of INR 3 crore and an interest free loan of INR five crore under the Revitalising Promising Producer-Owned Institutions (RPPOI) scheme, which enabled the Union to clear long pending farmer dues, upgrade facilities and secure working capital. Senior NDDB officers have also been stationed in Imphal to oversee governance, operations and diversification of products.
Dr Shah added that NDDB has waived management fees, facilitated training and exposure visits for Manipur officials to successful dairies in Anand, Jharkhand and West Bengal, and introduced practices in fodder development, animal health and manure management. He further announced that by October 2025, Manipur Dairy would begin supplying milk to the Assam Rifles, linking the state’s dairy sector with national service while ensuring a steady market for farmers.
Plans for Retail Presence and Future Outlook
To enhance consumer access, Manipur Dairy plans to establish ‘Milk & More’ retail booths across Imphal and other towns. The rebranding initiative is expected to strengthen consumer confidence and reinforce the cooperative’s role as a supplier of quality dairy products.
With NDDB’s continued guidance, the cooperative aims to move towards self sufficiency in milk production, creating sustainable livelihoods and ensuring nutritional security for the people of Manipur.