IMPHAL — A
tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Manipur
Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department, the National Dairy Development
Board (NDDB), and the Manipur Milk Producers’ Co-operative Union Ltd. to
transfer the management of the Manipur Milk Producers’ Co-operative Union to
the NDDB.
The MoU was signed at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in
the presence of Chief Minister N Biren Singh and Veterinary and Animal
Husbandry Minister Khashim Vashum on January 31.
In the MoU, secretary (Veterinary and Animal Husbandry)
Michael Achom represented the government of Manipur, while the NDDB and the
Manipur Milk Producers’ Co-operative Union Ltd. were represented by NDDB
chairman Dr. Meenesh Shah and member of the board of administration Pukhrambam
Sobhachandra Singh, respectively.
Speaking on the occasion, the CM stated that the signing of
the MoU was a long-awaited development and expressed his happiness about it.
Mentioning the importance of milk in the human diet, he noted that Manipur
requires more milk than its current production.
In a state like Manipur, which has produced 19 Olympians and
many other successful athletes, milk is an excellent supplement, as many
players are not financially able to afford more expensive diets, he added. He
also asked the chairman of NDDB to submit a proposal for suitable sites for the
same after consulting with the concerned farmers of villages.
Dr. Shah, while delivering the keynote address, informed
that India’s current milk production is over 239 million metric tons,
accounting for 24 per cent of the world’s production. He added that milk
production contributes 4 to 5 per cent of the country’s GDP.
He continued by stating that the NDDB has a clear focus on
the northeast states. He emphasised that the board has no intention of engaging
in any business activities but would take on a purely developmental role in
increasing the state's milk production.
