Rs 100 crore investment to expand Purabi Dairy’s processing capacity

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 28, 2025

Assam’s dairy and organic farming sectors received a significant boost with the signing of two pivotal Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) at Advantage Assam 2.0 on Wednesday. These agreements are poised to enhance dairy production and organic farming, ensuring better opportunities for farmers and an improved supply chain for consumers.

Purabi Dairy expansion to double milk processing capacity

In a landmark move, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and the West Assam Milk Producers’ Cooperative Union Limited (WAMUL) signed an MoU on February 26 to double the milk processing capacity at Purabi Dairy’s Panjabari plant in Guwahati. With an investment of Rs 100 crore, the facility’s capacity will expand from 1.5 lakh litres per day (LLPD) to 3 LLPD, meeting the increasing demand for quality dairy products.

The expansion will also see fermented milk product production rise from 20 metric tons per day (MTPD) to 50 MTPD and the establishment of a new ice cream plant with a capacity of 20 TLPD. These developments aim to strengthen the supply chain and provide dairy farmers with better returns through value-added products.

The MoU signing took place in the presence of Cooperation Minister Jogen Mohan, Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika and Additional Chief Secretary B Kalyan Chakravarthy. The agreement was formalized by Dr. V Sridhar, senior general manager of NDDB and SK Parida, managing director of WAMUL.

Organic farming gets a boost with new innovation hub

In another major initiative, the National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) and North East Dairy and Foods Limited (NEDFL)—a joint venture between the Government of Assam and NDDB—have partnered to establish an Organic Demo Farm cum Food Innovation Hub in Assam. The MoU was signed by Vipul Mittal, Managing Director of NCOL, and Satya Brata Bose, Managing Director of NEDFL.

This hub will serve as a processing center for organic raw materials, enhancing value addition and marketability for farmers across the Northeast. Additionally, it will feature a demonstration farm to introduce best practices, innovative techniques, and sustainable farming methods. Over the next two years, the project aims to train at least 1,000 farmers in organic farming techniques, develop market-ready organic products, and enable large-scale commercialization.

NCOL, backed by the Ministry of Cooperation, has NDDB as its chief promoter, with the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation (NCCF), National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED), Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. (GCMMF), and National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) as promoter members.

This initiative addresses key challenges such as the lack of certified organic processing centers and limited knowledge dissemination. Leveraging NEDFL’s extensive farmer network, the project aims to create a sustainable ecosystem integrating organic farming with cooperative dairy activities.

Driving rural growth and sustainability

Both initiatives underscore the government’s commitment to strengthening the rural economy and creating sustainable livelihoods for farmers. By enhancing production capacity, improving market linkages, and leveraging Assam’s rich agricultural and dairy potential, these projects are set to drive significant economic growth.

The Organic Demo Farm cum Food Innovation Hub will equip farmers with essential training and infrastructure, fostering large-scale organic farming, while the Purabi Dairy expansion will reinforce the dairy industry’s role in Assam’s economy. These transformative projects mark a new era for Assam’s agricultural and cooperative sectors, ensuring long-term benefits for farmers and consumers alike.