Palanpur (Gujarat)/Gangtok, February 19, 2026 — In a significant move to strengthen the cooperative sector in the northeast, a high-level delegation from Sikkim, led by Cooperation and Rural Development Minister Arun Kumar Upreti, visited the Banas Dairy headquarters in Palanpur, Gujarat.
The visit to Banas Dairy—Asia’s largest cooperative dairy and a key member of the Amul federation—was part of the Sikkim government’s strategy to study successful cooperative models and replicate their efficiency to enhance rural livelihoods in the Himalayan state.
The delegation, which included PRCS-cum-Secretary Jabi Thapa, toured the massive processing facilities of the Banaskantha District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union Ltd. (Banas Dairy). Established in 1969, the dairy is a cooperative titan, reporting an annual turnover exceeding ₹21,200 crore in the fiscal year 2024-25.
During the tour, Minister Upreti and officials reviewed the dairy’s infrastructure, which processes over 10 million litres of milk daily. The focus of the visit was to understand the “seed-to-feed” value chain that supports over 1.8 lakh farmer members.
Speaking after the review, Minister Upreti highlighted that the “Banas Model” offers critical insights for Sikkim, particularly in the areas of market linkages and farmer participation.
“The scale and efficiency of Banas Dairy demonstrate how cooperative movements can drive sustainable development. We are keen to adopt similar strategies to improve processing capabilities and ensure fair returns for our local producers in Sikkim,” Upreti stated.
Secretary Jabi Thapa emphasized the need for institutional capacity building, noting that replicating such a model requires robust backend systems and institutional discipline.
The visit aligns with the Sikkim government’s recent policy push to revitalize its rural economy through cooperative societies. By engaging with national leaders like Banas Dairy, the state aims to modernize its agricultural output and create a self-sustaining ecosystem for its rural population.