Itanagar: The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) is set to usher in a new era for Arunachal Pradesh’s dairy sector, with ambitious plans to establish ‘Milk Unions’ and ‘Milk Federations’ across the state. This strategic move aims to unlock the immense potential of dairy farming and its allied activities, according to a senior official.
The initial phase will see the formation of five milk unions, each corresponding to a major river basin. The Lohit River basin, encompassing Lohit, Namsai, and Lower Dibang Valley districts, is slated to be the first area of focus. S Roy, NDDB Kolkata regional head, shared these details on Wednesday during a training session for enumerators and supervisors in Chowkham circle, Namsai, highlighting the comprehensive approach to dairy development. Similar initiatives are planned for the Siang, Subansiri, Kameng, and Tirap basins, extending the reach of this dairy revolution across the state.
These regional milk unions will eventually culminate in the formation of a state-level ‘milk federation’ at the apex. This integrated structure is expected to create a plethora of new opportunities, not just within the dairy sector but also in related economic activities, promising a significant boost to rural livelihoods.
However, the path forward isn’t without its challenges. D Longri, the State Animal Husbandry, Veterinary and Dairy Development director, stressed the critical importance of completing the survey work for the Lohit basin by the deadline of July 31, 2025. Longri expressed his concern over the lack of effort from certain districts in establishing dairy cooperative societies, despite their considerable dairy potential. This oversight, he lamented, has unfortunately left Arunachal Pradesh lagging in the nation’s ‘White Revolution 2.0’ movement.
Given the pioneering role of the Lohit, Namsai, and Lower Dibang Valley milk union in guiding future endeavors, Longri issued a clear directive to district veterinary officers. He urged them to prioritise the ongoing survey, ensuring its timely and meticulous completion to lay a robust foundation for the state’s dairy aspirations.
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