🐄 Assam’s Gir Cow Dairy Project Faces Scrutiny Over Implementation and Outcomes

By Dairy Dimension Editorial Bureau

In 2021, the Assam government launched the Gorukhuti Bahumukhi Krishi Prakalpa (GBKP), an ambitious agricultural initiative aimed at rehabilitating cleared land in the Darrang district and boosting local farming livelihoods. A key component of the project included the introduction of Gir cows, a high-yield dairy breed from Gujarat, to strengthen the state’s dairy sector.

Three years later, the project is under scrutiny due to concerns over transparency, cattle health, and the actual outcomes delivered. With over ₹17 crore invested, questions have emerged around procurement processes, livestock management, and distribution mechanisms.

🐮 Gir Cows and the Dairy Vision

Gir cows, known for their resilience and high milk productivity, were identified as a suitable breed to enhance dairy farming in Assam. The project, initially managed by state authorities, later came under the supervision of an 11-member committee headed by Sootea MLA Padma Hazarika, comprising senior political leaders, bureaucrats, and stakeholders.

The dairy component was structured in three procurement phases:

• 2021: 98 Gir cows procured for ₹82 lakh
• 2022: 24 cows and a bullock, with funding from the World Bank
• 2022–23: Plan to procure 300 Gir cows from the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)

📊 Implementation and Outcomes

Official records show that 210 Gir cows were delivered as part of the third phase. However:

• 154 cows were returned due to reported quality concerns
• 56 cows died, according to records
• 90 cows remained on-site and were not redistributed via public channels

There is an inconsistency between public statements and official data. In March 2023, Assam’s agriculture minister informed the legislative assembly that all 300 cows had been returned. Subsequent documentation, however, confirmed delivery and payment for 210 animals, leading to questions about the accuracy of public disclosures.

🧾 Distribution and Documentation

Of the remaining 90 cows, several were allocated to individuals and organisations, including elected representatives and private firms. An RTI response revealed no open advertisements or selection criteria for these allocations.

Entities listed included:

• Elected officials: A few MLAs and political leaders
• Private individuals: Reportedly with informal ties to project administrators
• A private dairy firm owned by a minister’s spouse

Some recipients made payments to NDDB or through district offices; others were subsidised via project funds. These variations in payment structure and recipient selection have prompted calls for clarity in beneficiary identification, fund flow, and ownership terms.

⚠️ Animal Health and Adaptation Challenges

The death of 56 cows and the return of over 150 point to potential challenges in adaptation, veterinary care, and infrastructure readiness. Gir cows, native to Gujarat’s climate, may require specific conditions to thrive—conditions that need structured adaptation programs when introduced in new agro-climatic zones like Assam.

Animal welfare experts and veterinary officials have noted that breed transfer projects should be supported with:

• Trained handlers and veterinary teams
• Local fodder adaptation studies
• Biosecurity protocols and disease prevention planning

🧭 Stakeholder Concerns and Policy Review

Various stakeholders—including opposition leaders, local dairy farmers, and civil society groups—have called for greater transparency, audit mechanisms, and public reporting of project performance. While the intent to develop Assam’s dairy sector has been broadly welcomed, observers stress the need for:

• Clear guidelines for livestock distribution
• Consistent tracking of outcomes
• Integration with veterinary infrastructure
• Independent performance evaluation of public-private components

At the national level, experts believe such projects should align with the National Dairy Development Board’s best practices and emphasise data-driven decision-making, especially in regions with evolving dairy ecosystems.

🐄 Conclusion: A Project Under Evaluation

The GBKP’s dairy component reflects both the aspirations and challenges of scaling livestock-based interventions in new geographies. While the initiative was designed to boost productivity and promote rural enterprise, the unfolding developments underscore the importance of transparent implementation, animal welfare planning, and consistent communication between departments and the public.

As Assam continues to explore dairy sector development, a structured review of GBKP’s processes may offer valuable lessons for future state-led and cooperative-driven agricultural programs.