News & Announcement
Block Level Milking Competition for Siri Cattle Held at Kabi
Mangan, September 3 (IPR):
A block level milking competition for Siri cattle under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) was organised today by the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AH&VS) Department, at the Intensive Siri Cattle Breeding Area, Kabi, with support from the Sikkim Livestock Development Board (SLDB).
The programme was attended by MLA Kabi-Lungtsok Constituency cum Advisor, Health & Family Welfare and Culture Department Mr Thenlay Tshering Bhutia as Chief Guest. Also present were Chairman NDMU Mr Samten Bhutia, Panchayat members, BDO Kabi Mr Tashi Wangyal Bhutia, Additional Director, AH&VS Dr Dichen O Kaleon, JD, AH&VS-cum-MD NDMU Dr Hissay D Lepcha, Dy Director Phodong Dr Karma Ongmu, VO SLDB Mr Tenzing Lobzang, Deputy Director (Dzongu) Dr Kongcho O Lachenpa, ADDO NDMU Mrs Bindhya Gurung along with dairy farmers and local residents.
The milking competition had a total of nine participants, who were judged based on milk fat and SNF (Solids-Not-Fat) content along with overall milk yield.
Ms Dawa Lepcha Lhamu secured first position (₹25,000), followed by Mr Karma Lepcha (₹20,000) and Ms Chungmit Lepcha (₹15,000). All other participants were awarded a consolation prize of ₹5,000 each, together with certificates recognising their efforts.
Additional Director, Dr Dichen O Kaleon highlighted the significance of the competition, being the first of its kind for the Siri breed, and expressed gratitude to SLDB for their support. She underlined the need to preserve this indigenous cattle and encouraged farmers to adopt sustainable dairy practices.
Veterinary Officer Dr Tenzing Lobzang spoke on SLDB’s ongoing initiatives for breed development and farmer welfare. He stressed that scientific methods, value addition and proper management could greatly enhance the economic value of dairy farming while ensuring the survival of the Siri.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA cum Advisor Mr Thenlay Tshering Bhutia commended the department for organising the competition, describing it as a milestone for the community. He spoke on the importance of the Siri breed, noting its adaptability to the Himalayan climate, its role in sustaining biodiversity, and its contribution to rural livelihoods. He encouraged collective efforts for its preservation and urged the community, especially the young entrepreneurs and farmers, to approach every venture with adequate knowledge, training, and a sense of responsibility, so that initiatives taken in any sector are sustainable and beneficial in the long run.
It is to be mentioned that the Siri is an indigenous Himalayan cattle breed valued for its hardy constitution and superior milk quality. In Mangan district, the breed is found mostly in the Intensive Siri Cattle Breeding Area, Kabi, making its conservation especialy important, particularly as its numbers are declining.
A block level milking competition for Siri cattle under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) was organised today by the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AH&VS) Department, at the Intensive Siri Cattle Breeding Area, Kabi, with support from the Sikkim Livestock Development Board (SLDB).
The programme was attended by MLA Kabi-Lungtsok Constituency cum Advisor, Health & Family Welfare and Culture Department Mr Thenlay Tshering Bhutia as Chief Guest. Also present were Chairman NDMU Mr Samten Bhutia, Panchayat members, BDO Kabi Mr Tashi Wangyal Bhutia, Additional Director, AH&VS Dr Dichen O Kaleon, JD, AH&VS-cum-MD NDMU Dr Hissay D Lepcha, Dy Director Phodong Dr Karma Ongmu, VO SLDB Mr Tenzing Lobzang, Deputy Director (Dzongu) Dr Kongcho O Lachenpa, ADDO NDMU Mrs Bindhya Gurung along with dairy farmers and local residents.
The milking competition had a total of nine participants, who were judged based on milk fat and SNF (Solids-Not-Fat) content along with overall milk yield.
Ms Dawa Lepcha Lhamu secured first position (₹25,000), followed by Mr Karma Lepcha (₹20,000) and Ms Chungmit Lepcha (₹15,000). All other participants were awarded a consolation prize of ₹5,000 each, together with certificates recognising their efforts.
Additional Director, Dr Dichen O Kaleon highlighted the significance of the competition, being the first of its kind for the Siri breed, and expressed gratitude to SLDB for their support. She underlined the need to preserve this indigenous cattle and encouraged farmers to adopt sustainable dairy practices.
Veterinary Officer Dr Tenzing Lobzang spoke on SLDB’s ongoing initiatives for breed development and farmer welfare. He stressed that scientific methods, value addition and proper management could greatly enhance the economic value of dairy farming while ensuring the survival of the Siri.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA cum Advisor Mr Thenlay Tshering Bhutia commended the department for organising the competition, describing it as a milestone for the community. He spoke on the importance of the Siri breed, noting its adaptability to the Himalayan climate, its role in sustaining biodiversity, and its contribution to rural livelihoods. He encouraged collective efforts for its preservation and urged the community, especially the young entrepreneurs and farmers, to approach every venture with adequate knowledge, training, and a sense of responsibility, so that initiatives taken in any sector are sustainable and beneficial in the long run.
It is to be mentioned that the Siri is an indigenous Himalayan cattle breed valued for its hardy constitution and superior milk quality. In Mangan district, the breed is found mostly in the Intensive Siri Cattle Breeding Area, Kabi, making its conservation especialy important, particularly as its numbers are declining.
