Patna: Shirsat Kapil Ashok, Secretary of Bihar’s Department of Dairy, Fisheries and Animal Resources and co-chairperson of the Bihar State Milk Cooperative Federation (COMFED), has been nominated by the Government of India to the board of directors of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). The appointment is expected to strengthen Bihar’s representation in national dairy policy and cooperative governance.
Officials said his presence on the NDDB board would improve policy compliance, coordination and implementation between the national body, COMFED and the state government. It is also expected to align Bihar’s initiatives more closely with central government schemes under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, potentially increasing the incomes of livestock farmers and improving rural livelihoods.
The appointment is seen as an opportunity to bring fresh leadership and innovation to the dairy sector in Bihar and beyond. Shirsat Ashok’s experience in administration and cooperative management is expected to support farmer empowerment, strengthen cooperative institutions and expand opportunities for milk production and value-chain development.
NDDB has historically played a key role in India’s cooperative dairy movement since the White Revolution, with significant contributions to strengthening dairy cooperatives in Bihar. State officials noted that NDDB’s technical and institutional support has helped modernise the sector and expand market access for farmers.
Under Bihar’s ambitious Saat Nishchay–3 programme, the state has set a target to establish milk production committees in every village, a move expected to significantly increase milk output. The initiative is also aligned with the Union government’s White Revolution 2.0 agenda, with policymakers expressing confidence that coordinated efforts could set new milestones in India’s dairy sector.
