Central Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh reviews dairy‑livestock sector in Sikkim

During his two‑day visit to Sikkim, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, also known as Lalan Singh, conducted a detailed inspection of the various initiatives underway in the state's dairy and livestock sector. The minister visited the prominent Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Agricultural University, local dairy cooperative societies and rural livestock centers, and understood the problems of farmers and livestock keepers. He said that while promoting Sikkim's reputation for organic farming, it is necessary to establish dairy production as a model of sustainable development.

During the review, the minister discussed the progress of projects being implemented under the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and the National Livestock Mission (NLM), and said that to make centre‑state cooperation more effective, technical assistance, financial incentives and market access must be strengthened. He advised local officials to expand training programmes to empower small and medium‑sized dairy enterprises and to ensure the availability of modern milking equipment. In addition, emphasis was placed on the need to give special attention to organic fodder production, animal health care and breeding improvement for sustainable livestock farming.

In Sikkim, which lies at the crossroads of tourism and agriculture, dairy and livestock are regarded as a major pillar of economic diversification. Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh expressed hope that this sector will not only contribute to national food security but also play a significant role in generating employment for local youth. He urged the state government to implement the centre’s policies effectively in future development initiatives.