Gangtok:8th July:Sikkim Milk Union has extended Relief to Flood-Affected Dairy Farmers of Tumin-Lingee constituency.Demonstrating its unwavering commitment to the welfare of dairy farmers, the Sikkim Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union Ltd. (Sikkim Milk Union) today extended a helping hand to the flood-affected gwalas of Lingmoo-Payong and Lingee-Sokpay GPUs under the Tumin-Lingee Constituency, following the devastating flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall on the night of 27 June 2026.
The incessant rainfall caused massive flash floods across the region, severely damaging roads, agricultural land, and public infrastructure. Several connecting bridges were washed away, cutting off villages from the rest of the district and disrupting normal life.
The affected area is predominantly dependent on dairy farming, with hundreds of families earning their livelihood by supplying milk to Sikkim Milk Union.
However, the damaged road network and disrupted connectivity have severely affected the daily collection and transportation of milk, creating immense hardship and uncertainty for dairy farmers.
Understanding the gravity of the situation, a team from Sikkim Milk Union, led by its Managing Director, Dr. T. B. Ghatani, today, visited the affected villages at Sokpey Maidam to assess the ground situation and extend immediate support to the farming community.
As part of the relief initiative, the Union distributed one bag of cattle feed and one packet of area-specific mineral mixture to each of the 234 dairy farmer members belonging to six Dairy Cooperative Societies—Lomochangey, Sokpey-Maidam, Green Village, Darakharka, Kaw, and Payong. The total value of the relief assistance distributed amounted to ₹4,66,300 (Rupees Four Lakh Sixty-Six Thousand Three Hundred only). A brief counseling and interaction program was also conducted to encourage the farmers and assure them of the Union’s continued support.
According to Milk Union authorities, ‘though the relief assistance may not fully compensate for the losses suffered due to the disaster, it provided timely assistance and, more importantly, much-needed moral support to the affected families’.
During the interaction, the officials assured the dairy farmers that Sikkim Milk Union stands firmly with its members and will continue to extend all possible support during times of crisis. The visit reflected the true spirit of the cooperative movement, reinforcing that the Union’s relationship with its members goes far beyond milk procurement.
Despite the devastation, the resilience and determination displayed by the dairy farmers were remarkable. More than 60 dairy farmers voluntarily joined hands for two consecutive days to clear the damaged roads. They also expressed their willingness to contribute financially through their Milk Producers’ Cooperative Societies towards the cost of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) if a JCB excavator could be made available to restore road connectivity at the earliest.
Their collective efforts have already resulted in the clearance of a considerable stretch of the road, except for a major portion that was completely washed away by the river. The dairy farmers expressed their strong determination to resume normal dairy operations as soon as connectivity is restored.
The Union also noted that the Bulk Milk Coolers (BMCs) previously installed by Sikkim Milk Union at various Milk Producers’ Cooperative Societies have proved invaluable during this crisis. Farmers have been able to safely store milk in these facilities and utilize the milk for preparing dairy products locally, thereby minimizing spoilage.
Showing admirable resilience in the face of adversity, many gwalas have also started producing traditional dairy products such as churpi and other value-added milk products from surplus milk This has helped reduce wastage while providing an alternative means of utilizing their produce despite the disruption in transportation.
The affected dairy farmers expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Sikkim Milk Union for reaching out to them during their hour of need. They said the Union’s timely intervention gave them confidence, reassurance, and the feeling that they were not alone in overcoming the challenges brought by the natural calamity.
This relief initiative once again reflects Sikkim Milk Union’s unwavering commitment to the welfare and well-being of its dairy farming community.
By extending both material assistance and moral support, the Union has reaffirmed its pledge to stand shoulder to shoulder with its member gwalas in times of adversity, further strengthening the cooperative bond that lies at the heart of Sikkim’s dairy sector.
About the Author
