Purabi Dairy welcomes Magh Bihu with festive flavours and vision for dairy growth

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 12, 2025

As Assam gears up for the vibrant celebrations of Magh Bihu, Purabi Dairy, Northeast India’s largest dairy cooperative, ushered in the festive season with a pre-Bihu event at its modern dairy processing plant in Panjabari in Guwahati. The occasion highlighted the cooperative’s ambitious roadmap for transforming the state’s dairy sector by 2025.

West Assam Milk Producers’ Cooperative Union Ltd (WAMUL) Managing Director Sameer Kumar Parida emphasized Purabi Dairy’s commitment to strengthening Assam’s dairy economy through sustainable development and farmer empowerment. “Our mission is to create a robust and self-sufficient dairy ecosystem that ensures fair remuneration for farmers and provides quality products to consumers,” Parida said.

Acknowledging the recent Assam Cabinet decisions chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Parida thanked the state government for its supportive measures, including approval of two new milk processing plants in Jorhat and Dibrugarh, each with a capacity of 100 thousand litres per day (TLPD) at an investment of Rs 150 crore, plans for additional plants in Dhemaji and Cachar to expand milk processing capabilities and an incentive of Rs 5 per litre through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for dairy farmers supplying through cooperative societies like Purabi.

“These initiatives will greatly uplift the livelihoods of thousands of dairy farmers and strengthen Assam’s cooperative dairy network,” Parida added.

Purabi Dairy announced plans to expand its milk procurement network to benefit more farmers, launch new dairy products to meet evolving consumer demand, introduce capacity-building programs to enhance farmer income and improve milk quality through modern practices.

Satya Brata Bose, Managing Director of North East Dairy and Foods Ltd (NEDFL), highlighted the role of cooperative initiatives in Assam’s development. “Purabi’s expansion into Barak Valley through the East Assam Milk Producers’ Cooperative Union Ltd (EAMUL) and the sanctioning of a dairy in Silchar reflects our vision for growth. With support from the Government of Assam and NDDB, we aim to integrate dairy cooperatives across the state,” Bose said.

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The event showcased Purabi’s wide range of dairy products, from curd and cream to lassi and ice cream, which paired perfectly with traditional Assamese delights like pitha and jolpaan. Cultural performances added to the celebratory atmosphere, and attendees praised Purabi Dairy for its impact on rural livelihoods and the state’s economy.

As Purabi Dairy continues its journey to establish Assam as a leading dairy hub in Eastern India, the pre-Magh Bihu celebration symbolized hope, unity, and progress for the state’s dairy farming community. The cooperative pledged to drive innovation and strengthen Assam’s position in the national dairy industry.