Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh distributed 31 high-yielding pregnant heifers to Scheduled Caste (SC) farmers under a North Eastern Council (NEC)-funded dairy farming project, with the initiative aimed at improving farmer livelihoods, increasing milk production and generating rural employment.
The distribution programme was organised by the Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Services at the Farmers’ Training Hall, Sanjenthong Veterinary Complex, in Imphal East. The first phase covered 31 beneficiaries from four districts — Imphal East, Imphal West, Kakching and Thoubal.
The project, titled “Dairy Farming – A Way of Life for Scheduled Caste Farmers of Manipur,” covers a total of 612 beneficiaries across the four districts. The beneficiaries for the project were selected through a lottery system, according to a report by The Sangai Express.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Khemchand Singh said the government was committed to empowering SC farmers and working towards making Manipur self-sufficient in milk production. He encouraged beneficiaries to adopt scientific cattle-rearing practices to improve milk output and strengthen household incomes.
The NEC-supported project is intended to improve cattle resources and support dairy farming as a sustainable livelihood activity. Officials said the programme is expected to contribute to increased milk and milk-product production while creating employment opportunities in rural areas.
Dr. L. Arunkumar Singh, Director of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Services, said the project provides assistance to farmers through improved livestock resources. Beneficiaries and other farmers also participated in an interaction session on dairy-farming opportunities and the benefits of the initiative.
The government has also emphasised scientific cattle management and the effective use of existing livestock facilities. During the programme, the Chief Minister referred to the Buffalo Farm at Wabagai in Kakching district, noting that its livestock numbers had not increased as expected. He said a recent review found 18 buffaloes at the farm, with two calves subsequently born, taking the number to 20.
Khemchand Singh also called for efforts to revive and effectively utilise existing government livestock and cattle-rearing facilities. He said strengthening such infrastructure could support livestock development while contributing to farmer livelihoods and the state's rural economy.
The Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Services has an established dairy-development programme focused on increasing milk production, organising milk producers through cooperative societies and self-help groups, and improving the marketing of milk and milk products.
For the dairy sector in Manipur, the NEC-funded initiative represents a targeted effort to expand productive cattle resources among SC farming households while linking livestock support with income generation, milk production and rural employment.
Source: Dairynews7x7 27 Sep, 2026 Read Full Story Here
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