Assam Elevates Dairy and Organic Farming with Strategic MoUs

Assam has strengthened its dairy and organic farming sectors by signing two crucial Memorandums of Understanding at Advantage Assam 2.0. The agreements aim to double milk processing capacity, enhance farmer returns, and establish an Organic Demo Farm cum Food Innovation Hub, fostering sustainable agricultural development.

In a significant move at Advantage Assam 2.0, Assam's dairy and organic farming sectors received a substantial boost through the signing of two critical Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). On February 26, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and the West Assam Milk Producers' Cooperative Union Limited (WAMUL) inked an agreement to double the milk processing capacity at Purabi Dairy's Panjabari plant in Guwahati.

The Rs 100 crore expansion project will elevate the plant's capacity from 1.5 lakh liters per day (LLPD) to 3 LLPD, ensuring a consistent supply of quality dairy products to meet rising consumer demand. The initiative will also increase fermented milk product production from 20 metric tons per day (MTPD) to 50 MTPD and establish a new ice cream plant with a capacity of 20 TLPD, enhancing the supply chain and offering better returns for dairy farmers.

Under the MoU, senior officials including Cooperation Minister Jogen Mohan, Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika, and Additional Chief Secretary B Kalyan Chakravarthy were present. In a parallel development, National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) and North East Dairy and Foods Limited (NEDFL) agreed to create an Organic Demo Farm cum Food Innovation Hub. This project aims to train over 1,000 farmers in organic farming, develop market-ready products, and foster commercialization, thereby integrating organic farming with cooperative dairy activities to bolster Assam's rural economy and sustainability.