Assam Government inks deal with NDDB for management of milk cooperative

Decision will replicate success story of Purabi Dairy: CM

GUWAHATI: The Government of Assam on Wednesday signed an agreement with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), delegating the operational management of the East Assam Milk Producers' Cooperative Union Limited to the national dairy body. The agreement was signed by representatives from both sides in presence of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at the day-long Northeast Dairy Cooperative Conclave 2022 held at Sankardev Kalakshetra complex here.

Addressing those present, the Chief Minister expressed the hope that today's agreement of handing over of operational management of the East Assam Milk Producers' Cooperative Union Limited would improve the financials of the ailing cooperative body, as it happened in the case of Purabi Dairy. "Just as handing over the management of Purabi Dairy to NDDB in 2008 saved the cooperative body (West Assam Milk Producers' Cooperative Union) from near collapse, I am certain today's decision, too, would prove decisive in bringing a huge positive development in the fortunes of the milk producers' union of eastern Assam," the Chief Minister said.

Referring to the overall daily low milk production of just about 1 lakh litres in the State (against the requirement of nearly 42 lakh litres) in comparison to States such as Gujarat and Karnataka (with 2 crore litres and 80 lakh litres of daily milk production respectively), the Chief Minister spoke about the various measures already being implemented or in the pipeline to bring about a 'White Revolution' in the State. "We have taken a number of significant steps to bring about a 'White Revolution' in the State. Firstly, we have brought a large number of Gir breed of cows from Gujarat. We plan to take that number to 15,000. Secondly, we are making extensive use of artificial insemination methods so that we have the best offspring of cattle in the State. Thirdly, we are strengthening the cooperative milk production environment by providing the dairy farmers avenues to diversify their markets through initiatives such as today's signing of agreement," the Chief Minister stated, adding: "Further, we are focused on making Assam a milk-processing hub through investments on milk processing units. Moreover, we are also making attempts at providing affordable veterinary care to the dairy farmers. This would ensure healthy livestock population in the State."

"If we are able to increase the daily milk production to even a million (10 lakh) litres, it would reduce our dependency on milk from outside the State. This would result in considerable monetary gain for our dairy farmers," the Chief Minister added.

The 'Purabi Cattle Feed Plant' at Changsari was also commissioned remotely today by the Chief Minister at the event. The cattle feed plant will supply concentrated, nutritious cattle feed to farmers of the State. It is worth noting that lack of nutritious cattle feed is one of the primary contributing factors behind low milk yield in the State.

Assam Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Atul Bora, lauding the Chief Minister's role in bringing about a revolutionary change in the State's dairy environment, listed the various initiatives such as cold chain management, value addition, among others, that have been taken by the Government. He further appealed to the dairy farmers to make best use of these initiatives so that in days to come, they are in a position to give the farmers of the other States a run for their money in a healthy competitive environment.

Senior officials of National Dairy Development Board and the Government of Assam were also present in today's event.

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