Assam’s dairy sector is on the brink of a major transformation. While milk production across the state is steadily rising, a significant challenge remains: most of the milk produced never reaches the organized market.
To bridge this gap and boost farmers' incomes, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma outlined a comprehensive strategy aimed at strengthening Assam's dairy infrastructure.
Key Goals for Assam’s Dairy Expansion
- A Cooperative in Every Village: The government aims to establish at least one functional Dairy Cooperative Society (DCS) in every milk-producing village.
- Farmer Onboarding: Active efforts are underway to identify and enroll more dairy farmers into the formal network.
- Upgraded Infrastructure: New milk collection, quality testing, and chilling facilities are being deployed to prevent spoilage and maintain high quality.
- Organized Procurement: Connecting local farmers directly to organized procurement channels ensures fair pricing and steady demand.
- Financial Incentives: Expanding access to the ₹5 per litre subsidy will directly increase the profit margins for individual farmers.
Ground-Level Feedback
While the policy initiatives have garnered praise, local dairy farmers point out critical areas needing immediate attention. Former farm owners highlight that for these measures to succeed, the government must also strengthen veterinary services and artificial insemination (AI) training. Poorly trained staff often lead to long gaps between livestock pregnancies, creating financial strains that force small farms to shut down.
With better support systems and streamlined procurement, Assam is positioning itself to build a more resilient and lucrative dairy economy for its agricultural community.
