Leh: The Administrative Secretary, Cooperative Department, UT Ladakh, Bhupesh Chaudhary, IAS, along with the Administrative Secretary, Rural Development Department, UT Ladakh, Shashanka Ala, IAS, visited the Phanday Milk and Dairy Cooperative Society Ltd at Matho village to review the functioning of the cooperative and interact with local dairy farmers.
The visit aimed to assess grassroots-level challenges and explore measures to strengthen dairy-based cooperative initiatives and rural livelihoods in the region.
Upon arrival, the visiting officers were warmly welcomed by the village head and the President of the Cooperative Society with traditional khataks.
An interactive meeting was held with members of the Society, during which farmers shared their experiences, concerns, and suggestions related to dairy farming, fodder availability, and cooperative development. The Administrative Secretaries emphasized the importance of convergence between cooperative and rural development schemes to ensure sustainable income generation for farmers.
During the interaction, the Phanday Milk and Dairy Cooperative Society Ltd. submitted a memorandum highlighting several key demands. Farmers informed that incessant rainfall during August–September 2025 had severely damaged the alfalfa grass crop, leading to acute fodder shortages and financial distress. Addressing the issue, the Administrative Secretary, Rural Development Department, Ms. Shashanka Ala, IAS, assured the farmers that the matter of compensation would be examined and taken up for appropriate support under relevant schemes.
The Society also requested the provision of a dedicated milk transport vehicle, stating that Matho is one of the major milk-supplying villages in Ladakh and faces logistical challenges in milk transportation. Additionally, members expressed interest in undertaking an exposure visit to Anand Dairy in Gujarat to learn best practices in dairy management and cooperative functioning.
Several other issues concerning the long-term sustainability of the cooperative were discussed. The need to update the Society’s membership records was emphasized, as many active milk suppliers were not formally registered members.
Villagers sought enhancement of existing subsidy schemes for cattle purchase, citing the limited scope of current provisions. Farmers also requested the inclusion of vegetable produce from Matho village in Army procurement systems, similar to arrangements extended to other villages.
Matters related to value addition and resource optimization were also deliberated upon. The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) was instructed to organize awareness and training programmes on the utilization of cow by-products, particularly for organic fertilizer production. Directions were also issued to coordinate with the Horticulture Department to promote compost fertilizers and ensure better utilization of available schemes. Villagers highlighted the severe shortage of fodder, which has forced some farmers to discontinue dairy farming, and the Society was advised to explore options for direct fodder procurement and the use of appropriate machinery.
Bhupesh Chaudhary, IAS, Administrative Secretary, Cooperative Department, directed that provisions be made under the SDP budget for the distribution of milk vans to dairy cooperative societies. Concerns regarding the lack of quality breeding bulls were also raised, and the department was urged to take necessary steps to strengthen breeding support in the area.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Registrar, Cooperative Leh; Assistant Registrar, Cooperative Leh; Inspector, Cooperative Leh; the concerned Supervisor; and representatives of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).DD
