NDDB, Milma plan state-level seminar to mark International Year of Cooperatives
“Prosperity Through Cooperation” key theme of Oct 11 event
Trivandrum / October 10, 2025
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct. 10: National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and Kerala Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (KCMMF), known by brand Milma, will jointly organise a one-day state-level seminar on October 11 here, to mark the International Year of Cooperatives as declared by the United Nations.
Hon’ble Minister for Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development, Smt. J Chinchurani will inaugurate the seminar at Kerala Bank Auditorium at 10.30 am. Hon’ble Minister for Cooperation, Ports and Devaswoms, Shri V N Vasavan will deliver the Keynote Address at the function.
NDDB Chairman Dr. Meenesh C Shah will preside over the Inaugural session in which Milma Chairman Shri KS Mani will Welcome the gathering.
Significantly, the event also coincides with the diamond jubilee of NDDB.
“Prosperity Through Cooperation” is the focal theme of the seminar, where top functionaries and experts from leading cooperative institutions in the state will share their experience and insights, Milma Chairman Shri K S Mani told a press conference here today.
The seminar is conceived as a forum to discuss the achievements and shortcomings of the cooperative movement in Kerala, and prepare a roadmap for strengthening the sector for sustainable and inclusive prosperity and progress of the state, Shri Mani said.
The topics to be discussed at the seminar align well with the UN theme “Cooperatives Build a Better World.” Sectoral stakeholders and experts from Milma, State Dairy Development Department, NABARD, Kerala Bank, Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS) and NS Cooperative Hospital will make presentations and lead sessions on topics related to the cooperatives sector.
The event will showcase the strength and diversity of the cooperative sector in Kerala, besides imparting an added momentum and perspective to the movement to carry forward with its social and economic commitment to the society, Shri Mani said.
Shri Mani expressed his gratitude at NDDB’s key role in country’s progress in dairy sector and recalled the instrumental influence of Dr Varghese Kurian, the founding chairman of NDDB and father of white revolution.
The seminar will also focus on Milma’s role in economic and social wellbeing of dairy farmers, the role of dairy cooperative movement in empowering rural economy, support of NABARD for sustainable development of rural economy, the social relevance of cooperative banking, the successful model set by ULCCS by leveraging the collective strength of labour and the social commitment of cooperative health institutions.
Thiruvananthapuram Regional Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union (TRCMPU) Chairperson, Smt. Mani Viswanath; Ernakulam Regional Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union (ERCMPU) Chairman Shri. Valsalan Pillai C N; Smt Shalini Gopinath, Director, Dairy Development Department; Kerala Bank President Shri Gopi Kottamurikkal; Kerala Bank CEO Shri Jorty M Chacko; ULCCS Chairman Shri Ramesan Paleri; NS Cooperative Hospital President Shri P. Rajendran and Milma MD, Shri Asif K Yusuf, will speak at the inaugural function.
Milma governing body members Shri V.S. Padmakumar, Shri K.R. Mohanan Pillai, Shri Beena P.V., Shri Sathyan T.N, Shri Johnson K.K., Shri Tara Unnikrishnan, Shri Bindu K., Srinivasan P., Shri Narayanan P.P., Shri Koran K will attend the inaugural ceremony. Smt Romi Jacob, Deputy General Manager, NDDB, will deliver the vote of thanks.
Anand Pattern Cooperative Societies that pivoted the White Revolution in Kerala, dairy farmers who scripted success, and best AI technicians will also be honoured at the event.
TRCMPU Chairperson, Smt. Mani Viswanath; ERCMPU Chairman, Shri. Valsalan Pillai C N; Shri S Rajeev, Executive Director, NDDB; Smt Romi Jacob, NDDB DGM and Shri Asif K Yusuf, MD, Milma attended the press meet.
ENDS
