Mizoram Milk Producers, National Dairy Development Board ink pact to strengthen dairy sector

Guwahati: The Mizoram Milk Producers Cooperative Union Limited (MULCO) on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to strengthen milk production and dairy processing in the State.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Pu Lalduhoma and Cooperation Minister P.C. Vanlalruata.

NDDB Chairman Dr Meenesh Shah outlined the Board’s overall approach to dairy development and said a structured intervention could help Mizoram make significant gains in milk production and processing.


Lalduhoma stated that this agreement would not only enhance milk production in the State but would also improve livelihoods and income generation opportunities for a large number of livestock farmers. He noted that the Mizo people have traditionally been engaged in animal husbandry and that the State possesses good land resources suitable for livestock rearing. By integrating modern technology and improved practices, the State’s potential can be harnessed more productively. He also emphasised the need to establish a Project Monitoring Unit to ensure effective implementation of the agreement.

Vanlalruata expressed confidence that collaboration with NDDB—an institution with a proven track record across various parts of India—would significantly strengthen the cooperative movement in Mizoram and bring tangible benefits to livestock farmers. He conveyed his appreciation to the National Dairy Development Board for its support.

In line with target under the Ministry of Cooperation’s Flagship Scheme, White Revolution 2.0, the National Dairy Development Board will prepare a Comprehensive Dairy Development Plan for Mizoram. NDDB will provide technical support and assistance in all necessary areas, while MULCO will take intervention in implementing the plan within the State.

According to the Bureau of Animal Husbandry & Statistics (BAHS) 2024–25, Mizoram recorded the lowest daily milk production in the Northeast during 2024–25, with a production level of 64.4 thousand kilograms per day (TKgPD).

Lalduhoma met members of the Eighth Schedules Study Group constituted under the Mizo Language Development Board (MLDB) at his office. During the meeting, the Study Group briefed the Chief Minister on the progress of their work and initiatives. While the final report has not yet been formally submitted, the Study Group informed that it is nearing completion.

The Chief Minister appreciated the significant progress achieved by the MLDB and the Study Group within a short period and commended their dedicated efforts. He stated that the recommendations and proposals put forward by the Study Group were well-considered and assured that these would be followed up appropriately.

The Eighth Schedules Study Group informed that they have been visiting various organisations and communities across Mizoram to gather public opinion on the inclusion of the Mizo language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India. They reported an overwhelming consensus in favour of including Mizo in the Eighth Schedule. It was also pointed out that Mizoram had submitted a proposal earlier, but no concrete follow-up action had taken place so far. The Study Group suggested the constitution of a Task Group to resubmit the proposal in a comprehensive manner and to pursue the matter vigorously.

The Study Group highlighted that Mizo was declared the official language of the State in 1974. It serves as a common medium of communication among Zo ethnic communities living in different parts of the world. The Sahitya Akademi has recognised Mizo as a regional language, and it can be studied up to the PhD level. The People’s Linguistic Survey of India has classified Mizo as a growing language, while UNESCO has placed it in the “Vulnerable” category among the world’s languages.

According to the 2011 Census, Mizo speakers are spread across 26 States and 7 Union Territories of India, and it is believed that Mizo speakers are now present in all States of the country. As per the Census, the number of Mizo speakers in Mizoram stood at 8,30,846, a figure believed to have increased substantially since then. Some scholars estimate that the total number of Mizo speakers worldwide has now exceeded 2.2 million.

It was further informed that Google Translate has included Mizo as a translatable language since 11 May 2022. On that occasion, Google selected 24 languages worldwide out of 1,745 studied for inclusion in Google Translate, and Mizo was among those selected.