In a major boost to Assam’s dairy sector, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and West Assam Milk Producers’ Cooperative Union Limited (WAMUL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand the milk processing capacity at Purabi Dairy’s Panjabari plant in Guwahati. The agreement, formalized during the Advantage Assam 2.0 summit, marks a significant step towards strengthening the state’s dairy infrastructure.
The expansion project, valued at Rs 100 crore, aims to double the plant’s milk processing capacity from 1.5 lakh liters per day (LLPD) to 3 LLPD. Additionally, the production of fermented milk products will increase from 20 metric tons per day (MTPD) to 50 MTPD, alongside the establishment of a new ice cream plant with a capacity of 20 TLPD. This expansion is expected to enhance the supply chain, improve the availability of quality dairy products, and provide better returns for dairy farmers through value-added products.
The MoU was signed by Dr. V Sridhar, Senior General Manager of NDDB, and S.K. Parida, Managing Director of WAMUL. The initiative aligns with the government’s vision of strengthening the dairy sector and supporting farmers with sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Organic Farming Gets a Boost with New Innovation Hub
In another significant development, the National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) and North East Dairy and Foods Limited (NEDFL) have joined hands 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.
The proposed hub will function as a processing center for organic raw materials, ensuring value addition and improved marketability for farmers in the Northeast region. The facility will also include a demonstration farm to promote best practices, innovative techniques, and economic viability in organic farming. Over the next two years, the initiative aims to train at least 1,000 farmers in organic farming techniques, develop market-ready organic products, and facilitate large-scale commercialization.
Backed by the Ministry of Cooperation, National Cooperative for Organics Ltd. (NCOL) is supported by NDDB as the chief promoter, along 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. The project aims to bridge the gap in organically certified processing centers and knowledge dissemination, ensuring a sustainable ecosystem that integrates organic farming with cooperative dairy activities.
New Industrial Initiative in Paper Manufacturing
During Advantage Assam 2.0, M/s Kohinoor Pulp & Paper (P) Limited and RPN Specialty Paper (P) Limited signed an MoU to establish a greenfield project at the Industrial Growth Centre in the Matia Industrial Area. The project, with an estimated investment of Rs 2,000 crore, will include a bamboo-based pulp plant with an annual capacity of 1.20 lakh metric tons and a specialty paper manufacturing unit with a 1.50 lakh metric tons annual capacity. Promoted by entrepreneurs Naveen Kumar Gupta, Pijush Kanti Dey, and Amit Agarwal, the initiative aims to strengthen Assam’s industrial sector.
These developments reflect the government’s commitment to enhancing Assam’s agricultural, dairy, and industrial landscape, ensuring long-term economic growth and sustainable livelihood opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs alike.