LEH: Chief Secretary Ladakh Ashish Kundra on Wednesday directed the concerned departments to prepare a time-bound action plan to strengthen dairy cooperatives, raise milk production and expand milk collection networks across Leh, Kargil and Nubra.
Kundra issued the directions while chairing a review-cum-consultative meeting on dairy development and cooperative strengthening, attended by representatives of milk cooperative societies, producers and concerned departments.
He stressed that existing cooperatives should be made functional, financially viable and sustainable before wider expansion of the dairy network.
The meeting reviewed milk collection, livestock productivity, dairy feed, equipment, payments, transportation, training and market access. Representatives of functioning cooperatives and milk producers shared their concerns and suggestions, which were discussed with the departments concerned.
The Cooperative Department presented the status of dairy development in Ladakh, including milk production, registered cooperative societies, membership, procurement, supply to the Oma dairy plant and open-market supply. The functioning of existing societies and measures required to improve their performance were also examined.
The 2026-27 dairy development plan was discussed with emphasis on increasing milk production, expanding collection and processing capacity, improving collection infrastructure and logistics, and strengthening coordination between cooperatives, livestock development agencies, processing facilities and markets.
The meeting also considered digital systems for faster and transparent milk procurement and payments.
Kundra sought a clear assessment of livestock numbers, milk productivity, cooperative membership, procurement levels and the financial viability of societies in Leh, Kargil, Nubra and other areas.
He directed the departments to prepare a concrete action plan incorporating field-level suggestions. The plan will focus on cooperative management, proper accounting, technical capacity, need-based equipment and feed support, and training and exposure visits to successful dairy cooperative models.
It was also decided to identify a limited number of societies for priority support during 2026-27, with successful models subsequently considered for expansion to other villages and areas.
The Chief Secretary called for stronger milk collection networks and improved links with processing facilities and markets, saying the dairy cooperative sector should contribute to more stable incomes for livestock farmers, higher animal productivity and a sustainable dairy value chain in Ladakh.
He directed the departments to implement the agreed measures on a fast-track basis and ensure effective utilisation of budgetary support for 2026-27. The meeting was attended by Secretary Cooperative Bhanu Prabha, OSD Special Projects Kunzang Moses, Additional Secretary Cooperative Dr Mohammad Usman Khan, Deputy Registrar Cooperative Sachin Bali, and representatives of Oma, NDDB, Animal Husbandry Department, dairy cooperatives, milk producers and other departments.
