Gangtok | July 12, 2025 – The National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India (NCDFI) hosted a national workshop on 10th July 2025 at The Park Hotel, New Delhi, to commemorate 40 years of successful collaboration with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in ensuring milk supply to the Indian Armed Forces.
The event brought together senior defence officials, dairy cooperative heads, and policy leaders to reaffirm their shared commitment to nourishing India’s soldiers and empowering rural dairy producers.
The workshop was presided over by Lt. Gen. Mukesh Chadha, SM, VSM, DGST (Central Command), and featured distinguished guests including Maj. Gen. Ashish R. Sirsikar, VSM, ADGST and Chairman, NCDFI; Shri Meenesh Shah, MD, NCDFI; and Brigadier Magotra from HQ Supply & Transport.
Key Operational Priorities Discussed:
- Enhancing supply of fresh milk to Eastern Ladakh and Kargil
- Transitioning from MAP (Modified Atmosphere Packaging) to fresh milk wherever feasible
- Expansion of Nutramilk into regular ration channels
- MoU for introducing cheese variants into defence supply chains
- Ensuring fresh milk reaches remote units across the Western Command
- Addressing supply chain bottlenecks caused by quality control issues
- Establishing contractual provision for TPM/MAP as per operational demands
Sikkim Milk Union Recognised for Exceptional Service
As part of the celebrations, Certificates of Appreciation were presented to all Milk Unions and Federations who have significantly contributed to the success of the MoD supply program.
Dr. T. B. Ghatani, Managing Director of the Sikkim Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union Ltd., accepted the certificate on behalf of the Union for its outstanding service in providing high-quality milk and milk products to the Armed Forces.
“This recognition honours the unwavering commitment of Sikkim’s dairy farmers to national service and cooperative excellence,” said Dr. Ghatani.
The event also included a symbolic moment where Lt. Gen. Chadha presented a bouquet to the Chairman of NDDB in celebration of his recent Agriculture Leadership Award.
This workshop marked not just a milestone in logistics and defence collaboration, but a tribute to India’s grassroots dairy networks that continue to strengthen both nutrition and national security.