18 September, 2025, Anand: Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Hon’ble Governor of Manipur, unveiled the new brand name and logo of Manipur Milk Producers’ Co-operative Union Ltd – ‘Manipur Dairy’ at Raj Bhavan, Imphal on 17th September 2025. The launch represents a fresh identity for Manipur Dairy, reflecting its renewed commitment to serving farmers and consumers under the professional management of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). Shri Puneet Kumar Goel, Chief Secretary, Government of Manipur, Dr Meenesh Shah, Chairman, NDDB along with senior officials from Government of Manipur, NDDB, Manipur Dairy and women dairy farmers of cooperative societies were present.
On this occasion, the Hon’ble Governor also launched new milk variants – Cow Special Milk (500 ml) and Health Plus Double Toned Milk (150 ml) – alongside a range of value-added dairy products. These include Probiotic Curd (400 gm & 100 gm), Special Lassi (200 ml) and Cow Ghee (250 gm & 500 gm). These products have been developed to cater to the evolving tastes and health needs of consumers in Manipur, while also ensuring higher returns for milk producers.
In addition to the brand and product launches, he virtually inaugurated several important initiatives, including the rollout of NDDB’s Automated Milk Collection System (AMCS) and Dairy ERP platform at Manipur Dairy. These digital tools will enhance transparency, quality-based milk procurement and financial inclusion by enabling direct digital payments to farmers’ bank accounts. The Hon’ble Governor also inaugurated a 2 KL Bulk Milk Chilling Centre at Kakching, which will help in preserving milk quality and expanding procurement in rural areas. He also announced the formation of five new all-women Dairy Cooperative Societies in Kakching district under White Revolution 2.0, equipped with Automated Milk Collection Units (AMCU) and digital banking facilities. This initiative is expected to empower rural women, foster entrepreneurship and strengthen community participation in dairying.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Bhalla expressed his satisfaction at the rapid strides made in dairy development in Manipur under NDDB’s management. He observed that Manipur has immense potential for dairying, considering its favourable agro-climatic conditions and cattle population of about 2.6 lakh. He lauded the Government of Manipur for its bold and visionary step of handing over the management of Manipur Milk Union to NDDB in April 2025, terming it a turning point for the cooperative dairy movement in the State.
He stated that in a very short span, NDDB has initiated a series of reforms and programmes that have already begun to show results. The launch of new products, establishment of women’s dairy cooperatives, digitisation of procurement, and expansion of infrastructure will not only improve farmer incomes but also contribute to nutrition security and rural prosperity in Manipur. This is indeed a significant milestone in our collective journey toward self-reliance.
Dr Meenesh Shah, Chairman, NDDB, reaffirmed NDDB’s commitment to supporting the Manipur Milk Union. He said that NDDB had provided financial and technical assistance to help stabilise the Union, including a grant of Rs 3 crore and an interest-free loan of Rs 5 crore under the Revitalising Promising Producer-Owned Institutions (RPPOI) scheme. This support has assisted in clearing long-pending farmer dues, upgrading processing facilities and providing working capital. Dr Shah also informed that NDDB has stationed senior officers in Imphal to oversee governance, operations, and product diversification, ensuring that the Union grows in a professional manner.
Highlighting NDDB’s broader contributions, Dr Shah noted that NDDB has waived management fees, supported training and exposure visits for Manipur officials to successful dairies in Anand, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, and introduced best practices in fodder development, animal health, and manure management. He stated that by October 2025, Manipur Dairy will begin supplying milk to the Assam Rifles, thus linking dairy development with the cause of national service. This will not only provide quality nutrition to our armed forces but also open up a stable market for our farmers.
Under NDDB’s stewardship, the Union has also taken steps to strengthen its retail presence. Plans are underway to establish ‘Milk & More’ retail booths across Imphal and other towns to enhance visibility and consumer access. The rebranding of Manipur Dairy is expected to build stronger consumer trust and position the cooperative as a reliable supplier of pure, nutritious dairy products. It is a step forward towards realising the vision of making Manipur self-reliant in milk production while creating sustainable livelihoods and ensuring quality nutrition for the people of the state.