Office of Rajiv Ranjan Singh

A delegation from Sistema. bio (@sistema_bio ), led by Mr Alex Eaton, Global CEO & Co-founder, met with senior officials of NDDB to discuss strengthening and scaling up their collaboration in the biogas sector. Dr @ShahMeenesh , Chairman, NDDB, joined the meeting virtually. Discussions focused on expanding the adoption of small-scale biogas plants among dairy farmers to support energy security, generate additional income and promote the use of dung for clean fuel and organic fertiliser. Opportunities to extend the collaboration to mid-sized biogas plants for Gaushalas were also explored to help these institutions become more self-sustainable through productive utilisation of dung. Dr Shah highlighted the progress of NDDB’s collaboration with Sistema. bio and the ongoing partnership with NDDB–Sustain Plus Energy Foundation (SPEF, @SustainPlusSDG7 ), under which small biogas plants of —- capacity are being supplied. He also emphasised the importance of suitable financing mechanisms to make biogas plants more accessible to farmers. The deliberations further covered opportunities for technical collaboration in carbon-credit registration and management, including coordinated frameworks to avoid overlap and strengthen the impact of biogas initiatives.

Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh Ji (@LalanSingh_1 ), Hon’ble Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (@Min_FAHD ), and Panchayati Raj (@mopr_goi ), digitally launched White Revolution 2.0 in North District Milk Union (NDMU), Mangan, Sikkim, extending the cooperative dairy development initiative to the remote Himalayan region. The launch was held in the august presence of Shri Puran Kumar Gurung, Hon’ble Minister for Fisheries, AH&VS and Dairying, Agriculture & Horticulture, Government of Sikkim; Shri Samdup Lepcha (@LepchaSamdup_ ), Hon’ble Minister for Social Welfare Department, WCSCD Welfare Department, Printing & Stationery Department, Government of Sikkim; Shri Pintso Namgyal Lepcha, Hon’ble Minister for Forest & Environment Department, Mines & Geology Department, Science & Technology Department, Government of Sikkim; Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries (@FisheriesGoI ), Government of India; Shri Naresh Pal Gangwar, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (@Dept_of_AHD ); Ms Varsha Joshi, Additional Secretary, DAHD; Dr @ShahMeenesh , Chairman, NDDB; Shri T. T. Bhutia, Hon’ble MLA-cum-Advisor; Shri Kado Lepcha, Hon’ble Zilla Adhyaksha, Mangan Zilla; and other senior officials of the Government of India, Government of Sikkim, DAHD and NDDB. From FY 2026–27, NDMU will be covered under White Revolution 2.0, with new Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCS) to be established and existing DCS strengthened, expanding the cooperative network and enabling greater participation of milk producers across North Sikkim. The initiative will strengthen village-level dairy institutions, provide assured market access, promote transparent milk procurement and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for dairy farming households. NDDB will continue to support the expansion of farmer-owned dairy cooperatives in the district, addressing the challenges of difficult terrain, scattered habitations and limited connectivity.

During the digital launch of White Revolution 2.0 in North District Milk Union (NDMU), Mangan, Sikkim, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh Ji (@LalanSingh_1 ), Hon’ble Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (@Min_FAHD ) and Panchayati Raj (@mopr_goi ), reiterated the Government of India’s commitment, under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji (@narendramodi ), to the comprehensive development of the Northeast through stronger rural institutions, farmer empowerment and self-reliance. Calling for concerted efforts to make Sikkim a model of cooperative-led dairy development for the region, he highlighted White Revolution 2.0’s focus on establishing new Dairy Cooperative Societies and strengthening existing ones to bring more dairy farmers into the cooperative network. Recognising NDDB’s role in advancing the State’s dairy sector, he called for modernisation and technological upgradation of the Mangan District Milk Union’s dairy plant into a state-of-the-art facility. He also proposed integrating dairy plants across Sikkim under a unified ‘Sikkim Milk’ brand to strengthen market positioning and brand value, and requested NDDB to formulate a comprehensive strategy for consideration and approval by the State Government. Under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), he outlined interventions for the conservation and genetic improvement of the indigenous Siri cattle breed, including a dedicated Centre of Excellence leveraging IVF technology to propagate high-genetic-merit animals and enhance livestock productivity. He also announced a dedicated training centre for yak breeders to strengthen livestock-based livelihoods in the region. Reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to Sikkim and the Northeast, he emphasised sustained efforts to strengthen dairy cooperatives, modernise infrastructure, conserve indigenous livestock breeds and enhance farmers’ incomes.