Guwahati: Northeast India’s largest dairy cooperative, Purabi Dairy, organized a pre-Magh Bihu celebration at its state-of-the-art dairy processing plant at Panjabari in Guwahati on Saturday.
On the occasion, Purabi Dairy outlined its ambitious plans for the development of Assam’s dairy sector in 2025.
Addressing the media persons during the event, West Assam Milk Producers’ Cooperative Union Ltd (WAMUL) Managing Director Sameer Kumar Parida, highlighted the different initiatives taken by the dairy cooperative to strengthen the dairy-based economy of the state.
“Purabi Dairy has been at the forefront of farmer empowerment and sustainable development. We have been consistently working to improve milk production, provide fair remuneration to farmers, and offer quality dairy products to our consumers. Our focus is to create a robust and self-sufficient dairy ecosystem in Assam,” said WAMUL Managing Director Sameer Kumar Parida.
He thanked the Assam government for the important Cabinet decisions taken on January 10 for the uplift of the dairy sector.
The Assam Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma on January 10, took some important decisions related to the dairy sector in the state.
After the meeting, Chief Minister Sarma shared that approval was given for two new milk processing plants in Jorhat and Dibrugarh with a capacity of 100 thousand litre per day (TLPD) each, worth Rs 150 crore.
Also, two similar plants are also being planned in Dhemaji and Cachar in the coming days.
In a bid to boost the livelihood of thousands of dairy farmers of the state, the Assam Cabinet also approved an incentive of Rs 5 per litre through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for dairy farmers who sell their produce through cooperative societies.
The chief minister said the initiative will benefit farmers associated with dairy cooperatives like Purabi (WAMUL and EAMUL), among others.
The Purabi Dairy official further mentioned several new initiatives for 2025, including the expansion of milk procurement networks, and the introduction of newer products.
Parida emphasized the cooperative’s commitment to improving the livelihoods of thousands of dairy farmers associated with WAMUL and increasing their income through capacity-building programmes and better market linkages.
As Magh Bihu celebrates the harvest season, the approval of the state cabinet for Rs 5/- per kg as an incentive to cooperative dairy farmers, has brought cheers to all the milk pourers of Purabi.
“We are thankful to the state government and especially our Honourable Chief Minister. This decision will go a long way in strengthening the cooperative dairy sector in Assam,” Parida further said.
With unwavering support from the Government of Assam and guidance from the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Purabi has emerged as a trusted and beloved brand.
“We now have the East Assam Milk Producers’ Cooperative Union Ltd (EAMUL) following a similar path of transformation in the lines of WAMUL. With a new dairy sanctioned for Silchar, by the Govt of Assam, development activities under the Purabi umbrella are slated to be taken up in Barak Valley as well,” said Satya Brata Bose, Managing Director, NEDFL.
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He said, “The North East Dairy and Foods Ltd (NEDFL), a joint venture between the Government of Assam and NDDB, is set to add new wings to Purabi’s journey ahead by integrating all these cluster cooperatives.”
