Sikkim marks 5th Gwala Diwas with pride, honours dairy farmers' role in rural growth

The 5th Gwala Diwas was celebrated across Sikkim on July 1, 2025, with much pride and gratitude, highlighting the dedication and hard work of dairy farmers who are the backbone of the state’s rural economy. Initiated by Hon’ble Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) in 2020, Gwala Diwas is a first-of-its-kind observance in India, showing Sikkim’s deep respect for its milk producers.

The day marks a historic milestone in the state’s dairy journey. On July 1, 1980, the Sikkim Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union Ltd. started its first milk processing unit at Jorethang. Since then, the Union has grown to become a crucial part of the rural economy, with its head office at 5th Mile, Tadong, and a regional office at Karfectar, Jorethang. It procures milk from five districts—Namchi, Gyalshing, Soreng, Pakyong, and Gangtok—supporting thousands of families.

Speaking on the occasion, CM Golay said, “Gwala Diwas is not just a celebration; it is our way of showing gratitude to the silent hands that feed us daily.” The day is also marked by the “Milk Person of the Year” award and cash prizes to the three best-performing Dairy Cooperative Societies—₹10 lakh, ₹7 lakh, and ₹5 lakh respectively. These awards encourage innovation and commitment among the dairy farmers.

Sikkim stands out as the only Indian state that officially honours its dairy community in such a structured manner. The state government has taken several steps over the years to strengthen the dairy sector. Notably, Sikkim provides the highest milk incentive in the country—₹8 per litre—with more than ₹56 crore disbursed since 2020–21.

In 2024–25, milk procurement rose by 26%, the highest in India, taking the average daily procurement to nearly 52,000 litres. The Sikkim Milk Union recorded its highest-ever single-day collection of 71,249 litres on June 17, 2025. The annual turnover increased from ₹136.58 crore in 2023–24 to ₹148.83 crore in 2024–25. The Union currently operates 526 Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCSs), including 18 led by women, ensuring inclusive growth.

To maintain transparency and efficiency, 100% digital payments are made directly to farmers. The Union also supplies 20,000 litres of milk daily to the Indian Army in Sikkim and North Bengal, generating ₹46.22 crore in revenue in FY 2024–25 from 12 army stations.

Looking ahead, the Sikkim Milk Union plans to expand its operations. Projects like a premium cheese plant at Dentam and a new dairy plant in Jorethang with a capacity of 1 lakh litres per day are in the pipeline. Proposals have been approved and are ready for submission to the Government of India. The Union is also working to secure ISO certification for the Jorethang plant and expand the Gangtok plant to accommodate new product lines.

On State Day, May 16, 2025, the Union launched 16 new products under the ‘Indranil Sweets’ brand, including traditional sweets, further diversifying its portfolio. Plans are also underway to open sweet parlours in key towns to improve access to value-added products.

The success of the dairy sector in Sikkim is credited to the collective efforts of many. Special appreciation was extended to Shri Puran Gurung, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry; Shri Yam Kumar Sharma, Chairman of the Milk Union; Dr. Sharman Rai, Secretary; and Dr. T.B. Ghatani, Managing Director, along with all officers, field staff, and most importantly, the milk producers who remain at the heart of this movement.