Assam’s cooperative dairy sector is set for a major infrastructure boost as Purabi Dairy launched the expansion of its processing network in Upper Assam with the foundation laying of three new milk processing plants in Jorhat, Dibrugarh and Dhemaji.
The main Bhoomi Pujan ceremony in Jorhat marked the start of the initiative, with participation from senior government leaders and dairy sector representatives. The event was led by Rajiv Ranjan Singh, who joined virtually, alongside ministers from the Assam government and officials from the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
Strengthening Cooperative Dairy Infrastructure
The proposed processing plants are expected to significantly strengthen milk procurement and processing capacity across Upper Assam. The Jorhat and Dibrugarh plants will each process one lakh litres of milk per day, while the Dhemaji facility will have a capacity of 50,000 litres per day.
The Jorhat plant will be developed by the East Assam Milk Producers’ Cooperative Union Limited (EAMUL) under the central government’s National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD). Meanwhile, the Dibrugarh and Dhemaji plants are being established by the Assam government under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund and will be operated by North East Dairy and Foods Limited (NEDFL).
NEDFL functions as a joint venture between the Government of Assam and NDDB to expand organised dairy operations across the state.
Expanding Milk Procurement Networks
Milk procurement in Upper Assam is already being coordinated through EAMUL, which has been managed by NDDB since 2023. The network currently covers more than 1,300 villages through over 540 dairy cooperative societies, connecting more than 11,000 dairy farmers to organised procurement channels.
The procurement operations span districts including Jorhat, Sivasagar, Golaghat, Dibrugarh, Sonitpur, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji and Majuli, helping integrate local dairy producers into a structured cooperative ecosystem.
Boosting Rural Livelihoods
According to Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, the expansion reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening India’s cooperative dairy movement while creating sustainable income opportunities for rural households.
Officials emphasised that the new processing facilities will improve market access for farmers and ensure the availability of hygienically processed milk and dairy products for consumers.
Part of Assam’s Dairy Development Plan
The projects form part of the broader Assam Dairy Development Plan, a long-term initiative being implemented by the state government in partnership with NDDB. The programme aims to expand cooperative dairying and build modern procurement and processing infrastructure across the state.
Once fully operational, the initiative aims to develop milk processing capacity capable of handling over 10 lakh litres of milk per day across Assam, significantly expanding market access and strengthening the state’s dairy value chain.
Alongside dairy infrastructure expansion, the programme also includes the development of veterinary healthcare networks through the establishment of new multicare veterinary hospitals across several districts.
Through these initiatives, the Assam government aims to build a self-reliant, farmer-centric dairy ecosystem while strengthening the reach of dairy products under the Purabi brand across the region.
