Sundarban Co-operative Milk & Livestock Producers' Union Limited also known as Sundarban Milk Union is a cooperative organisation established in the year 2003 under West Bengal Co-operative Societies Act, 2006 and West Bengal Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2011. The area of operation of the Milk Union is South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.
In November, 2015 the Milk Union was re-activated and started its renewed journey under the visionary of the Hon'ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, active leadership and guidance of Dr. P.B. Salim, IAS, District Magistrate, South 24 Parganas and technical and financial support from Government of West Bengal and National Dairy Development Board by conceiving and launching a unique brand of dairy and agri products procured and processed from the farmers of Sunderbans, called 'Sundarini'.
Organizational Setting :
Sundarban Cooperative Milk and Livestock Producers’ Union Ltd. is a producer cooperative affiliated to West Bengal Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation Ltd. and is governed by West Bengal Cooperative Societies Act 2006 and West Bengal Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2011. The operational area of the Cooperative is South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.
Taking oath on the eve of World Milk Day (1st June) in 2017 thousands of farmers took initiative for Third-Party Organic Certification. Tireless efforts of the officers, staffs and honesty of the farmers make the task to be completed in 2020. Sundarban Cooperative Milk and Livestock Producers’ Union Ltd. received organic certification on Wild Sundarban Honey, Cow Milk & Milk Products and Agricultural Produce (in Conversion) as per guidelines of National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), APEDA, Ministry of Commerce & Industries, Government of India from Rajasthan State Organic Certification Agency, Government of Rajasthan, Jaipur - our Certification Body.
The women farmers from mangrove buffer of India Sundarban areas in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal in recent past were often killed by Tiger attack, Crocodile fetch or venomous snake bites in regular course!! Major livelihood was shrimp-fry (meen) catching and hardly earn Rs. 50-60/- per day. Super-cyclones Aila in 2009, Bulbul in 2019 and Amphan in 2020 repeatedly smashed their shelter, livelihood.
Managed by extreme willpower and support from Government of West Bengal, West Bengal Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation Ltd. and technical support from National Diary Development Board around 5000 women farmers of Sundarban Islands kept their own organization alive.
100% automation and instant testing facilities at village level Dairy Cooperative Societies, 100% farmers’ database (Know Your Farmer) in Central Server System, 100% Cashless Payment through individual bank account of farmers, participation in social activities like Mangrove Plantation, Cleanliness Drive, Awareness Programmes have strengthen the bonding between farmers, professionals – the employees of the farmers and their brand – Sundarini Naturals.
