Organizational Overview and History
Mithila Milk Union, officially registered as Mithila Dugdh Utpadak Sahkari Sangh Ltd., represents one of Bihar’s most significant dairy cooperative institutions. Established on September 14, 1987, under the Operation Flood Programme of the Government of India, the union was formed under the Bihar State Co-operative Societies Act, 1935, following the Anand pattern of dairy development.
The union’s operational jurisdiction encompasses three districts: Samastipur (where its headquarters is located), Darbhanga, and Madhubani. This milkshed area represents a crucial component of Bihar’s dairy ecosystem, operating under the umbrella of the Bihar State Milk Co-operative Federation Ltd. (COMFED), which markets products under the iconic “Sudha” brand.
Historical Evolution and Infrastructure Development
The union’s journey began modestly during the 1970s when milk procurement was handled by the Barauni Creamer through vendors engaged by Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCS). This system continued under the aegis of the Dairy Development Department of the Government of Bihar until 1973-74, after which it was taken over by Bihar State Dairy Corporation. With the formation of COMFED in 1983-84, all procuring and chilling units were transferred to COMFED on a management basis.
Starting with the Milk Chilling Centre at Tajpur with a handling capacity of 10,000 Litres Per Day (LPD), Mithila Milk Union has expanded considerably over the decades. The union currently owns and manages:
Tajpur Chilling Centre: 10,000 LPD capacity
Rosera Chilling Centre: 20,000 LPD capacity
Darbhanga Packing Station-cum-Processing Plant: 50,000 LPD capacity
Samastipur Dairy Plant: 250,000 LPD capacity (the flagship facility)
The full-fledged dairy at Samastipur was installed in 1999 with an initial capacity of 40,000 LPD, receiving financial assistance from the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Samastipur. The processing facility underwent significant expansion from 40,000 litres to 1.0 Lakh Litres Per Day (LLPD) in 1999, and subsequently to 2.50 LLPD in 2010, with financial assistance from the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).
In 2020, the Bihar Government sanctioned a major infrastructure upgrade, approving a ₹61.21 crore dairy plant expansion at Samastipur. This investment was part of a broader state initiative to strengthen dairy infrastructure and enhance rural incomes through boosted processing capacity.
Quality Certifications and Standards
Mithila Milk Union achieved significant quality milestones by obtaining ISO 9001:2000 and HACCP (IS-15000) certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards in 2003. These certifications underscore the union’s commitment to maintaining international quality standards in milk processing and food safety management. The dairy operates as an ISO 9001-2008 and HACCP certified facility, ensuring adherence to stringent quality control measures.
Procurement and Production Capacity
Mithila Milk Union has demonstrated remarkable growth in milk procurement. Through dedicated efforts, the union procures an average of 355,000 LPD milk from its producer farmers. The union’s procurement network is extensive, with milk collection conducted at the village level through an organized system of Dairy Cooperative Societies.
To ensure milk quality at the grassroots level, the union has established 55-58 Bulk Milk Coolers (BMCs), predominantly of 5 KL capacity, at DCS level under various government schemes including Rashtriya Samvikās Yojana (RSVY) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) implemented by the Government of Bihar. These BMCs collectively handle approximately 255,000 litres of milk per day, ensuring immediate chilling to maintain quality.
According to data from the 2014-15 period, the union organized 2,170 dairy cooperative societies covering 1,545 revenue villages, connecting approximately 150,000 milk producers and their families. By March 2015, daily average milk collection reached 3.55 lakh litres with 1.48 lakh litres dedicated to marketing.
Marketing and Distribution
Mithila Milk Union markets pasteurized pouch-filled liquid milk in the urban areas of Samastipur, Darbhanga, and Madhubani districts, with an average sale of 156,000 LPD. The surplus milk beyond local marketing requirements is supplied to marketing dairies in Jharkhand and Mother Dairy Delhi. The union is well-equipped for efficient milk reception, processing, quality control, and storage, committed to timely supply of safe milk to customers.
The union also markets various milk products including peda, kalakand, paneer, rasogulla, gulabjamun, butter, lassi, and misti dahi on behalf of sister unions through milk outlets, creating a wider customer base and stronger brand loyalty under the Sudha brand.
During the Makar Sankranti festival period in 2021 (January 9-14), the union achieved record sales, with 1.98 lakh kg of curd and 17 lakh litres of milk sold. This achievement demonstrated the union’s capacity to meet seasonal demand spikes effectively.
Cooperative Structure and Governance
Mithila Milk Union operates under a democratic cooperative structure managed by an elected Board of Directors comprising an elected Chairman and eleven farmer-members belonging to the DCS at village level. The board also includes representatives from COMFED and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). The Managing Director, recruited by the Board, oversees day-to-day operations.
The union’s mission emphasizes transparency, discipline, efficiency, and foresight in ensuring economic, social, and holistic development of producer-members by providing fair value for milk produced and necessary services for quality milk production at the rural level.
Farmer Support Services
Mithila Milk Union is deeply involved in enhancing milk production through comprehensive support services at every stage:
1. Artificial Insemination Services: The union provides technical inputs through trained self-employed AI workers from the same villages, ensuring genetic improvement of milch animals.
2. Veterinary Health Services: Regular veterinary health camps are organized covering disease control measures through first aid, vaccination, and deworming.
3. Input Supply: The union arranges daily supply of balanced cattle feed, fodder seeds, bypass protein feed, mineral mixtures, and calcium at farmers’ doorsteps on a no-loss-no-profit basis through milk transport vehicles.
4. Technology Transfer: The union engages in transferring technologies and creating awareness among producer-members through different extension media and methods to enhance milk production and procurement.
5. Training Programs: Cooperative Development Programs are conducted at Darbhanga and Madhubani district levels, providing training on producer rights, duties, milk production cost reduction, and benefits of milk cooperation.
Awards and Recognition
Mithila Milk Union has received numerous accolades for its outstanding performance:
Best Award (2013): Honored by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on the occasion of COMFED’s 30th Foundation Day for best-performing committees in Bihar.
Best Dairy Federation Award (2012): Recognized for excellence in milk storage category during the 28th COMFED Foundation Day.
Cost Reduction Award (2012): Received the best award for leading dairy association in reducing milk storage costs and excellence in animal feed and fodder during the 29th COMFED Foundation Day.
Financial Performance: The union maintained top rankings by distributing ₹62.20 lakh in dividends to committee members and ₹2.63 crore as 4% dividend on committee contributions by financial year 2012-13.
In 2014, NDDB Chairman T. Nanda Kumar visited Mithila Dairy Federation and its associated producer committees to acknowledge their achievements and inaugurated a bulk milk cooler at Shahpur.
Dharmendra Kumar Srivastava: Leadership and Contributions (2014-2022)
Professional Background and Tenure
Dharmendra Kumar Srivastava, a dairy technologist trained at the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), served as Managing Director of Mithila Milk Union from March 2012 to January 2022. His tenure spanning nearly a decade represented a transformative period for the union, marked by significant operational improvements, infrastructure expansion, and enhanced farmer welfare initiatives.
Srivastava brought extensive professional expertise to his role, having been trained at NDRI, India’s premier dairy research and education institution. His leadership was characterized by a combination of technical knowledge, operational excellence, and a deep commitment to cooperative principles.
Major Achievements During His Tenure
1. Infrastructure modernization and expansion
During Srivastava’s leadership, Mithila Milk Union undertook a sustained program of infrastructure expansion to match rising milk procurement and market demand. A key milestone was the commissioning of a 30‑metric‑ton milk powder plant in the Samastipur industrial area, inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Bihar, Shri Nitish Kumar, which significantly strengthened the union’s ability to handle surplus milk and diversify its product portfolio. This was followed by the inauguration, again by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, of a fully automated dairy plant in the same industrial area with an initial capacity of 5 lakh liters per day, designed to be expanded to 8 lakh liters per day, marking a major leap in modern processing capability. Parallel to these projects, the Bihar Government’s approval of a ₹61.21 crore expansion of the Samastipur dairy plant and the installation of 58 bulk milk coolers with a combined chilling capacity of 2.55 lakh liters per day helped ensure that milk collected across the union’s villages could be rapidly cooled and maintained at high quality.
2. Operational excellence and technology adoption
Under Srivastava, the union embraced technology to drive transparency, speed, and accuracy in milk procurement. Hundreds of Electronic Milk Testers (EMT) and Automatic Milk Collection Units (AMCU) were installed at cooperative societies, enabling instant fat/SNF testing, automated recording, and fair, data‑backed payment to farmers. This shift from manual to technology‑enabled systems improved trust in the cooperative, reduced pilferage and disputes, and laid the foundation for further digitization at the village level.
3. Enhanced milk procurement and marketing
Srivastava’s tenure saw record levels of milk procurement and a sharper marketing focus that translated capacity into sales. To unlock new demand for value‑added products, the union launched “Dahi Express” as a dedicated curd‑marketing initiative, which drove exceptional growth in dahi sales and culminated in record curd volumes during the Makar Sankranti season of 2021. Building on stronger distribution networks and better festival‑season planning, the union also achieved peak daily sales of liquid milk and curd, demonstrating its ability to move large volumes efficiently from farmers to consumers while maintaining quality.
4. Farmer welfare and economic impact
Throughout his tenure, Srivastava championed a farmer‑centric economic model in which producers benefited directly from the union’s growth. Milk prices were structured to reward both quantity (kilograms of milk) and quality (fat and SNF content), incentivizing better animal care and feeding practices. Consistent dividend payouts to member societies, including significant distributions in the early years of his tenure, reinforced the cooperative character of the union and ensured that additional value generated by new plants and higher sales flowed back to rural households.
5. Quality assurance and compliance
Quality and food‑safety compliance remained non‑negotiable priorities under Srivastava’s leadership. The union maintained and upgraded its ISO and HACCP certifications, aligning plant operations with rigorous national and international standards. The newer automated dairy facilities were designed with integrated quality‑control systems, enabling tighter process control, traceability, and consistently safe products under the Sudha brand.
6. Stakeholder engagement and cooperative culture
Srivastava also invested in relationships—with government, employees, farmers, and consumers—that are vital for a cooperative’s long‑term health. High‑profile inaugurations by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Bihar underscored strong state‑level confidence in the union’s projects and vision. Within the Samastipur dairy campus, the unveiling of a black stone statue of Dr. Verghese Kurien, Father of the White Revolution, created a permanent symbol of the cooperative ethos that guides the union. During challenging periods, including the COVID‑19 pandemic and major festival seasons, Srivastava’s regular communication with farmers and staff helped maintain coordination, morale, and trust across the organization.
Recognition and Leadership Roles
Following his tenure as Managing Director, D.K. Srivastava transitioned into prominent leadership roles within India’s dairy industry:
Chairman, Indian Dairy Association (IDA) Bihar State Chapter: He assumed this position and served as Secretary General of the 51st Dairy Industry Conference.
Chief Guest at National Milk Day 2024: As former Managing Director of Mithila Milk Union, he was honored as chief guest at the National Milk Day celebration, recognizing his contributions to Bihar’s dairy sector.
Industry Thought Leader: He participated as a panelist in programs like “Atmanirbhar Bihar,” contributing his expertise on dairy development strategies.
Legacy and Biography
In recognition of his outstanding contributions, a biography honoring Srivastava was released by the Mithila Milk Union team, documenting his achievements and impact on the organization’s growth trajectory. This rare honor reflects the profound respect and appreciation he earned from colleagues, farmers, and the broader dairy community.
National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) Support and National Dairy Plan
Mithila Milk Union has benefited significantly from NDDB’s technical and financial support. Under schemes driven by NDDB and the National Dairy Plan (NDP), the union received sanctioned amounts totaling ₹164.69 million for implementing three major plans aimed at reducing milk production costs for farmers.
NDDB Chairman T. Nanda Kumar’s visit in October 2014 underscored the national importance of Mithila Milk Union’s operations and the commitment to supporting its continued growth. The NDDB’s continuous engagement has facilitated capacity building, technology transfer, and infrastructure development.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Despite significant achievements, Mithila Milk Union faces ongoing challenges including:
Capacity Utilization: With processing capacity of 2.50 LLPD but average procurement of 3.55 lakh litres, the union occasionally faces capacity constraints during flush seasons.
Seasonal Variations: Milk procurement shows significant seasonal fluctuations, requiring strategic management of surplus during flush periods.
Infrastructure Gaps: While BMCs have been established, continuous expansion is needed to cover more villages and ensure quality milk collection.
Climate Vulnerability: Bihar’s dairy sector faces challenges from natural calamities like floods, which impact fodder availability and animal health.
Looking forward, the union aims to expand its operational footprint. COMFED’s roadmap envisions establishing 2,640 milk cooperation committees for 10 million litres per day milk collection across Samastipur, Darbhanga, and Madhubani districts. Plans include installing 850 artificial insemination centers, marketing 2.40 million litres of milk daily in urban areas, establishing a 5 million litres per day capacity dairy plant, a 200 metric tons per day cattle feed factory, and a 30 metric tons per day powder plant.
Impact on Regional Economy and Social Development
Mithila Milk Union’s operations have generated substantial socio-economic impact in the region. By connecting approximately 150,000 milk producer families across three districts, the union has:
Provided stable income sources for rural households, particularly benefiting small and marginal farmers
Empowered women through participation in dairy activities and Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
Created employment opportunities in milk collection, processing, distribution, and support services
Contributed to Bihar’s milk production growth from 7.77 million tonnes in 2014-15 to 12.85 million tonnes in 2023-24
Enhanced per capita milk availability in Bihar from 88 grams per day in 2001-02 to 208 grams per day in 2014-15
The union’s emphasis on remunerative pricing, transparent procurement systems, and comprehensive farmer support services has established it as a model cooperative institution in Eastern India.
Conclusion
Mithila Milk Union, Samastipur, represents a successful implementation of the Anand pattern cooperative model in Bihar’s dairy sector. From its establishment in 1987 to its current status as one of Bihar’s leading milk unions, the organization has demonstrated sustained growth in procurement, processing capacity, farmer membership, and market reach.The leadership of Managing Director D.K. Srivastava from 2014 to 2022 marked a particularly significant period of transformation. His contributions encompassed infrastructure modernization, technology adoption, operational excellence, enhanced farmer welfare, and strengthened market presence. The recognition he received, including his current role as Chairman of IDA Bihar State Chapter, reflects the lasting impact of his tenure.As Mithila Milk Union continues to expand its operations under new leadership, building on the foundation established during Srivastava’s decade-long stewardship, it remains positioned to play a crucial role in Bihar’s dairy development and in improving the livelihoods of thousands of dairy farming families across the Mithila region.