Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the expanded dairy plant of West Assam Milk Producers’ Cooperative Union Ltd., Purabi Dairy, at a ceremony held in Panjabari, Guwahati. During the event, he announced a significant increase in support for dairy farmers in the state.
Dr. Sarma expressed pride in the locally produced Purabi Ice Creams, highlighting the use of Assam’s milk in its production. With the expansion of the plant’s capacity to 1.5 lakh liters, he emphasized the benefits it would bring to thousands of dairy farmers by enhancing market access.
The Assam Government’s joint venture with NDDB marked its first commercial product launch with the inauguration. Dr. Sarma announced an additional Rs 5 benefit per liter of milk for organized sector dairy farmers starting next year, aiming to further support farmers already implementing various yield-enhancing measures.
Moreover, WAMUL decided to raise the basic milk procurement price by Rs 1 per liter, effective from March 1, 2024. The government pledged funds for the development of milk processing units in Jorhat and Dibrugarh, alongside the new plant in Guwahati.
Highlighting NDDB’s management of Purabi Dairy since 2008, Dr. Sarma commended its growth, reaching over 60,000 kg of milk per day from 400 kg initially, benefiting around 30,000 dairy farmers across 21 districts.
Atul Bora, Minister of Agriculture & AHVD, praised the state’s support to NDDB in scaling up milk production, underscoring the importance of the new plant in boosting the dairy sector and contributing to Assam’s self-reliance.
The Purabi Dairy processing plant significantly contributes to the production of various dairy products, with sales turnover exceeding Rs 200 crore in the fiscal year ending March 2023. Dr. Meenesh Shah, Chairman of NDDB & WAMUL, highlighted the plant’s expanded capacity and its potential to meet increased demand.
Additionally, the plant’s upgraded facilities, including a solar thermal system, aim to increase energy efficiency and reduce costs. The project was implemented under the World Bank-funded Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project (APART).
The collaboration between the Government of Assam and NDDB has been instrumental in advancing dairy development in the state, with various schemes supporting dairy sector growth.
The ceremony was attended by key officials, state ministers, and farmer members of dairy cooperative societies, marking a significant milestone for Assam’s dairy industry.