Sikkim Milk continues its profitable ways

After 28 years of losses, Sikkim Milk posts eight straight years of profits!

In these times of depressed economies and failing public sector undertakings, Sikkim Milk Union continues to impress. A loss-making unit for the first 28 years of its existence till the year 2006-07, Sikkim Milk has now posted profits for eight consecutive years! At the 19th Annual General Body Meeting of the Sikkim Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd held yesterday, it was announced that the turnover of Sikkim Milk Union has grown from Rs. 3,733 lakhs in the year 2013-14 to Rs. 4,417 lakhs in the year 2014-15, an 18.32 % growth. The profit before depreciation was Rs. 65.23 lakhs. The depreciation claimed was 9.51 Lakhs and the tax payable is Rs. 16.91 Lakhs. The net profit after depreciation and tax stands at Rs. 38.82 lakhs which is 27.7% higher than the previous year.

Sikkim Milk Union makes it to Board of National Dairy Federation

GANGTOK, 06 Feb: The Sikkim Cooperative Milk Producers Milk Ltd has now become a member of the Board of Directors in the National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India (NCDFI).

A press release informs that the Sikkim Cooperative Milk Producers Union, represented by Mangal Jit Rai, was elected as a member of the Board of Directors in the National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India in the meeting held on 04 February 2014 at its head quarters in Anand, Gujarat.

Mr. Rai, a member of the Board of Directors of the Sikkim Co-operative Milk Producers Union Ltd, was nominated by the Sikkim Milk Board to attend the National Special General Meeting and to contest for a position in the NCDFI’s Board of Directors on behalf of Sikkim Milk Union.

The present elected board of NCDFI will hold office for next five years. The NCDFI coordinates all the State Level Federations in the aspects of Cooperative Dairy Development at National level.

This is one of the proudest moments and is a significant achievement for the Sikkim Milk Union, the release expresses.

Sikkim Milk mourns demise of ML Rai

GANGTOK, 21 Nov: The Sikkim Co-operative Milk Producers Union Ltd has conveyed deep condolences on the passing away of ML Rai, a member of the Union’s Board of Directors, who passed away on 20 November.
The late Mr. Rai served in the Board of Directors for more than 15 years and was vice chairman to the Sikkim Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd for more than 5 years. He was also chairman to the Tikpur Village Milk Producers Cooperative Society for more than 15 years.
A press release states that the late Mr Rai served with dedication and contributed to the welfare of the milk cooperative societies and the dairy farmers in the state. He also served in the Board of Directors at the national level on behalf of the Sikkim Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd to the National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India (NCDFI) for the last four years.
The Sikkim Milk Union has expressed deep sorrow at his passing and wished all strength and courage to his family members and dear ones.

Sikkim Milk records 28% growth in 2012-13, posts profits for sixth consecutive year

GANGTOK, 27 Sept: Sikkim Milk Union has recorded 28.27% growth in its annual turnover for 2012-13. The Union earned Rs 3,058 lakhs in the year 2012-13 as compared to Rs. 2,384 lakhs in the year 2011-12.
This was revealed during the 17th Annual General Body Meeting of the Sikkim Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd held today at the conference hall of the State Institute of Capacity Building, Karfectar at Jorethang.
Presenting the audited annual accounts for the year 2012-13, Managing Director, Dr. P. Senthil Kumar, stated that the Union has seen yet another successful year. For the sixth consecutive year, the Sikkim Milk Union has earned profit. The benefit of such performance is being provided in the form of better milk price to farmers and as price difference to societies, he informed.
A hike of milk price to the farmers to the tune of over 155.88% (more than two and half times) has been provided with the revision of 100 % increase in selling price within a period of six years, he added.
Dr Kumar informed that most of the societies have been provided with automatic milk testing machines for transparent testing while quality control laboratory at Gangtok and Jorethang Dairy plants have been renovated and are being handled by skilled manpower.
He stated that at present Sikkim Milk Union is managing 308 societies including both registered and unregistered with a membership of 9864. During 2012-13, total milk procured from the village milk cooperative was 45,50,755 kg, he informed. He also listed the various benefits being provided to the societies.
In comparative terms, the surplus earned during the year 2012-13 was Rs. 138.52 lakh. Out of this Rs.37.94 lakh of profit after depreciation, Rs. 7.91 lakh is depreciation, Rs. 35.35 lakh has been paid to Employees’ LIC Gratuity, Rs. 46.18 lakh has been provided for their price difference milk price revision, Rs.9.42 lakh to be paid towards employee ex-gratia and Rs. 1.72 lakh paid towards LIC leave Encashment scheme for the employees. The Sikkim Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd is confident that the progress achieved in the last six years since 2007-08 will be taken forward in the coming years as well with the help of all concerned.
Further, as per the recent amendment to Sikkim Cooperative Societies Act, 1978, three additional members consisting of two women members and one ST/SC member were elected in the AGM.
The Secretary, Animal Husbandry, DP Sharma and Registrar, Co-operative Societies, JM Pradhan appreciated the performance of the Sikkim Milk Union and assured all support to the Union. They also stressed upon the linkages required between the cow distribution beneficiaries and the village milk cooperatives societies.
Earlier, the Chairman, Sikkim Milk Union, MB Rai in his address appreciated the cooperation extended by the village milk cooperative societies and management for the sixth consecutive year. He informed that the dairy farmers are receiving incentives in the form of price difference for the sixth consecutive year and also stressed on the need for responsible participation from the village societies to further improve on the quality and quantity of milk procured by the societies.

Sikkim Milk Union condoles demise of Dr Verghese Kurien

GANGTOK, 10 Sept: The Sikkim Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd has expressed deep grief on the demise of Dr. Verghese Kurien, the father of the white revolution.
Dr Kurien laid the foundation for 'operation flood' at Anand in Gujarat by starting Milk Produce Co-operative Society which later spread across the nation including Sikkim.
A press release from the cooperative mentions, the then Chairman of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Dr Kurien paid a visit to Sikkim in 1977, which resulted in the birth of the Sikkim Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd.
“The Sikkim Milk Union remembers his contributions to the dairy farmers of the state of Sikkim. We offer tributes to this great man and express our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family”, the release states.

The reign of ‘Sikkim Empire’ begins

SIKKIM MILK UNION’S ICE-CREAM IS A HIT
ANAND OBEROI
GANGTOK, 12 June: ‘Rich,’ ‘luxurious,’ ‘cool,’ ‘smooth,’ ‘creamy,’ ‘heavenly,’ ‘satisfying’... these are some of the terms used to describe one’s craving for ice-cream. The ‘power of ice cream’ as many explain has the ability to change one’s state of mind like when you’re feeling low -- maybe after a bad blind date -- you eat ice cream… and you feel a little better, because you have something that satisfies you or when you’re having a bad day, there’s always ice cream to pick you up.
Ice-cream for many is a product you can count on to be there for you in good times and in bad and now here is our own Sikkim Empire brand of ice-cream in different flavours which will help you beat the heat of the sun as well as the heat of everyday life.

The Sikkim Empire brand of ice- creams, a produce of the Sikkim Milk Union (SMU), comes in four flavors, chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and mango and was launched by the Chief Minister in March this year and in just two months since its first batch reached retail outlets, is giving major market players such as Amul and Vadilal a run for their money.
“Sikkim Milk was established in 1980 as a cooperative which had an output of 700 litres of milk per day, 32 years down the line it now involves ten thousand farmers state-wide and produces 16,000 litres every day. With the cooperative union catering basically to urban centers, it seemed a great idea to launch our own brand of ice- creams along with our other range of milk products,” shares the Sikkim Milk Managing Director, Dr. P Senthil Kumar.
With an initial investment of just Rs 42 lakh on machinery and an additional Rs 10 lakh for the packaging unit, Sikkim Milk Union has added the ice-cream manufacturing unit to its already existing infrastructure for milk processing. With subsidies being provided to retailers for refrigeration uits and deep-freezers, Sikkim Empire within this year has plans to expand its output of 900 litres of ice-cream per day to any quantity as per the market demand.
“We are producing three batches, each of 300 litres per day, four days a week. There are still some teething problems since this is a new venture. We already had most of the infrastructure in place and with a little improvisation we have started our own unit. This is just the initial phase, we will start with aggressive marketing and take production levels up within this year,” the MD adds.
At present, the product is being sold from select outlets all of whom are optimistic about the prospects of Sikkim Empire, stating that the product does not compromise on quality and is completely organic. The pricing also works in favour of the product which comes in 250ml, 500ml and 1000ml family packs, cups and Sikkim Milk has now added two new flavours - the elaichi and orange sticks.
It is also informed that the ice-cream is currently being supplied in insulated containers through Sikkim Milk truck dispatches; this limited supply in the market is slowly earning respect with demand growing every day. Keeping this in mind, Sikkim Milk has now ordered for modified refrigeration and insulated vans to start reaching the districts and other major towns.
Trainings and recruitment of specialized manpower is also on the cards, informs the MD who added that the ice-cream unit is currently being run by professionals from the already existing employees who were trained for the same. With more stress now being given to the stabilization for the production unit, a strong surge of marketing will be undertaken soon, he informs.
“With minimal investment we have delivered a successful product. We already have paneer, churpi and curd amongst some of the products but with ice-cream we have diversified and targeted a larger section of customers. Feedback suggests that the ice-creams were well received by the tourists as well. We hope to keep-up this good image and deliver a quality product which will be a household name in the coming days in Sikkim as well as neighbouring West Bengal,” states the MD.
With a huge supply of milk from local dairies guaranteed, opting for a new venture with the excess milk is a positive initiative. With ice-cream market here dependent completely on Siliguri for supplies [thus far], Sikkim Milk now offers a home-grown alternative. So next time you go to buy an ice-cream, give Sikkim Empire a try.

Sikkim Milk Union team tours West Sikkim to promote quality production

GANGTOK, 11 June: In an effort to stimulate quality milk collection, the management team of Sikkim Milk Union comprising of Managing Director, Joint General Manager, DGM along with field supervisors visited several Village Cooperative Societies in West Sikkim including the ones located at Timberbong, Dodak, Buriakhop, Bada Samdong, Raphang, Sribadam in the last week, informs a press release.
The functionaries of the societies were explained about the importance and need of collection of evening milk in order to ensure that the quality of milk is of acceptable standard. The management team also insisted on utilizing the bulk milk cooler properly to obtain benefits out of the same in enhancing the milk quality, the release mentions.
Issues related to cattle feed distribution and management issues arising out of road blocks occurring due to landslides were also discussed to arrive at location specific solution. The release informs that field functionaries were directed to facilitate movement of milk from societies whenever there is a road block.
Sikkim Milk Union has initiated several measures to improve the quality of milk procured from the cooperative societies. The quality of milk procured in Sikkim suffers due to problem associated with mixing of evening with morning milk particularly during summer. In order to avoid such instances, the union has installed about 30 bulk cooling machines at various locations in South, East and West Sikkim, the release informs.
The Union has also provided deep freezers to more than 40 societies. The evening milk collected by the members have to be brought to the bulk cooling stations in the evening itself, so that milk is preserved with its original quality and flavor. All the bulk cooling stations have been requested to start evening milk collection and chill them in the coolers till it is dispatched to the Union.
As of now, a few coolers are functioning to enable the societies and its members to collect evening milk. It is expected that the remaining bulk coolers will be functional within a few days and start sending fresh and quality milk to the union, the release mentions further adding that the field functionaries of the union are on their toes to get this initiative forward.

Impressed with Sikkim Milk Union, NCDFI board members assure all assistance for future initiatives

GANGTOK, 21 March: Members of the National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India (NCDFI) board, in Sikkim for their national board meeting [held here on 19 March], visited the Gangtok Dairy Plant and appreciated the plant upkeep and over all functioning and performance of Sikkim Milk Union, an official press release informs.
The board also observed that the State was laying the required emphasis on developing the dairy sector here and appreciated the efforts of the Government in promoting dairying in the state, the release adds. The board has assured all assistance from the NCDFI towards the development of the Sikkim Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd.
The NCDFI Board meeting was held earlier in the day at the Sikkim Milk Union premises here. Chairman Vinayakrao D Patil, and Managing Director KC Supekar of NCDFI and chairpersons of various State Dairy Cooperative Federations attended the meeting. The board discussed issues related to dairying and milk supplies to army and railways throughout the country. This was for the first time that the NCDFI was meeting in Sikkim. Mr. Patil assured Sikkim Milk Union that NCDFI would facilitate expansion of its market with Army and IRCTC and can also extend cooperation in providing HY variety Frozen semen to the state.

APO demo project on Productivity and Food Safety Management ends

GANGTOK, 16 Mar: The closing workshop of Asian Productivity Organization [APO] demonstration project on productivity and food safety management in the Sikkim Cooperative Milk Producers Union Limited organised by the Sikkim Milk Union was held at Chintan Bhawan today.
Addressing the gathering, the chief guest Minister for Cooperation, RB Subba stated that it was a matter of prestige for the State to be chosen by APO for the project from all the North Eastern states and added that the experts have done all the hard work in the past one and a half years on the project and it was now time for us to put them into effect.
The experts have shown that Sikkim has the potential and to make this a reality we all need to work together and to do this there is a need for coordination and cooperation amongst all the people involved, he said and added that above all there was a need to bring awareness amongst the farmers to produce quality milk, while the department needs to work at the ground level to increase productivity.
Stating that this was the scientific age, the Minister said that it is time now for us to make use of technology and that there was a need to bring awareness amongst the employees and workers of the Sikkim Milk Union, too.
Earlier, the gathering was also addressed along with a power-point presentation by Pieter Willem de Jongh [international consultant from Netherlands] and Dr. P Senthil Kumar [Managing Director, Sikkim Milk Union]. A brief outline on objective of the project was presented by KD Bharadwaj [senior project officer, APO, Japan].
During his power-point presentation, the MD [SMU] Dr. P Senthil Kumar informed that the project was started in September 2010 and has taken one and a half years to be implemented. This was not the closing but just the beginning of the work for the employees and workers of SMU, he expressed.
He also presented the outcome of the project and future course of action to be taken by SMU in the days to come, while the chief resource person, Pieter Willem stated that much had been achieved in the past one year by SMU, but there was still a long way to go.
The workshop was attended by the Board of Directors, Sikkim Milk Union, Secretary Cooperative Department, Chairman SMU, officials from the Animal Husbandry, Cooperative departments, officials of Sikkim Milk Union and members representing various public sector units.

Sikkim Milk Union in third phase of process to become a Demonstration Company

GANGTOK, 09 Mar: The Asian Productivity Organization (APO), Japan had selected the Sikkim Milk Union to be developed into a Demonstration company. Under this project the APO and National Productivity Council, New Delhi [designated principal implementing agency] will provide international and national expert and consultancy services to Sikkim Milk Union free of cost for productivity improvement and food safety management.
Mr. Pieter Willem de Jongh, the International Dairy Expert from Netherlands deputed by APO to work on the processing improvement and productivity alongwith NPC, India expert, KVR Raju had made their first visit to Sikkim Milk Union in the months of March and August in 2011.
A press release informs that in order to continue the improvement missions, the APO organised their third and final visit between 07 to 17 March. A review meeting of the project was organised at Sikkim Milk Union Dairy Plant on 08 March to review the mission progress and the achievements made and the strategies for achieving the unfinished improvement tasks.
With the support of International expert, the Sikkim Milk Union is putting all its efforts and resources to achieve productivity improvement and develop itself into a model dairy enterprise. It is expected that the APO experts will provide outcome of the project and also improvement tools needed in the days to come by Sikkim Milk Union in the closing ceremony to be held on 16 March, the release mentions. The project was started in the year 2010 and expected the active phase of the project to get completed with this visit.
The objective of the project is to showcase how a company in public sector can successfully design and implement productivity improvement initiatives with the commitment and active participation of all productivity stakeholders; Demonstrate visibly and tangibly how productivity improvement initiatives lead to outstanding results for the company; illustrate the benefits of productivity gain sharing in boosting the motivation, morale, welfare and overall achievements of the workers; and serve a model to inspire other enterprises, workers, and all stakeholders to promote productivity more vigorously in their workplaces.

Sikkim Milk Union posts profits for fourth consecutive year

NAMCHI, 20 Oct: The 15th Annual General Meeting of Sikkim Milk Union was held today at the Tourism Guest House, Karfectar, Jorethang. The meeting was presided over by Chairman, MB Rai , and attended by the Milk Union officials and the Cooperative Societies from East, West and South Districts.

Asian Productivity Organization experts visit Gangtok dairy plant with productivity improvement tips

GANGTOK, 26 Aug: the Asian Productivity Organization (APO), Japan had selected the Sikkim Milk Union to be developed into a Demonstration company with National Productivity Council (NPC), New Delhi as the principal implementing agency with the objective of showcasing how a company in the public sector can successfully design and implement productivity improvement initiatives. The project was started in the year 2010 and is expected to be completed by March 2012.
Pieter Willem de Jongh, an International Dairy Expert from Netherlands deputed by APO to work on the processing improvement and productivity, and India expert, KVR Raju are on their second visit to Sikkim Milk Union [from 17 to 27 August], informs a press release.

Sikkim Milk increases procurement price of milk by Rs. 2

GANGTOK, 10 Aug: The Sikkim Milk Union has enhanced its procurement price for dairy farmers with effect from 01 July benefitting about 9,000 farmers. In the last four years, the Sikkim Milk Union has revised its farmers’ procurement prices with an increase of about 88.23% from the 2007 levels. Now, a further upward revision of Rs. 2 per litre has been provided to the farmers and with this revision, the farmers’ procurement has gone up 111.76% higher than the rates of April 2007 to benefit them, informs a press release.