Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently announced the state’s ambitious goal to boost its milk production to 10 lakh litres daily. Drawing inspiration from the legacy of Dr. Verghese Kurien, the father of India’s White Revolution, Sarma highlighted the importance of empowering local dairy farmers and enhancing the dairy industry’s infrastructure.
The announcement came as part of the state’s larger vision for agricultural and rural development. The Chief Minister emphasized the crucial role of dairy farming in the economic upliftment of Assam’s rural areas, especially for the farmers who depend on it for their livelihood. Sarma expressed that Assam’s potential for milk production has not yet been fully realized, and with strategic investments and improvements, the state can reach the target of 10 lakh litres per day.
Dr. Kurien’s legacy of transforming India’s dairy sector, creating a nationwide network of cooperatives, and ensuring that the benefits of the dairy revolution reached the common farmer, remains a guiding force behind Sarma’s approach. The state government’s focus on improving the dairy sector aligns with Kurien’s vision of a self-reliant and sustainable agricultural economy, where farmers are central to the growth process. Assam aims to create a similar model by building robust infrastructure, providing training and support to dairy farmers, and ensuring fair prices for milk producers.
Sarma’s announcement is being seen as a significant step toward improving the livelihoods of Assam’s rural population. He pointed out that Assam’s dairy industry holds vast untapped potential due to the state’s favorable climate and agricultural conditions. The region already produces a substantial amount of milk, but it lags behind other states like Punjab and Gujarat in terms of per capita production. With the state government’s focus on increasing production and improving milk quality, this target of 10 lakh litres per day is seen as both a feasible and transformative goal.
To achieve this target, the government has outlined a multi-faceted plan. First and foremost, the plan involves modernizing the existing dairy infrastructure, including chilling plants, processing units, and cold storage facilities. This will help improve the quality of milk and reduce wastage due to inadequate storage or transportation issues. Additionally, the government plans to introduce advanced technology and machinery to streamline milk collection, testing, and distribution processes, ensuring that both the farmers and consumers benefit from higher standards.
Another key aspect of the plan is to promote dairy farming as a more lucrative and sustainable livelihood option for the youth of Assam. Through skill development programs, the government will train young people in modern dairy farming techniques, focusing on areas such as animal husbandry, breeding practices, and feed management. This will empower a new generation of dairy farmers, ensuring that the state’s milk production remains sustainable in the long term.
The government is also committed to improving the welfare of the farmers by providing them with access to better financial support and insurance schemes. Recognizing that dairy farming can sometimes be unpredictable due to fluctuations in prices and weather conditions, the state will offer loan facilities with low-interest rates and insurance to protect farmers from potential losses. Additionally, the government is working on creating a network of cooperatives to facilitate the sale of milk and milk products directly from the farmers to consumers, thereby cutting out middlemen and ensuring that farmers receive fair compensation for their hard work.
Sarma’s announcement has already garnered positive responses from local farmers and industry stakeholders. Many believe that this initiative will significantly impact the rural economy, offering farmers greater financial stability and creating more job opportunities within the dairy sector. The plan to improve milk production and the infrastructure surrounding it is seen as a long-term investment in Assam’s agricultural future.
The government’s focus on milk production also ties into its broader strategy of promoting rural self-sufficiency and sustainability. By making Assam a major player in the dairy industry, Sarma envisions a state where local farmers contribute to the national supply of milk while simultaneously improving their own economic conditions. This effort to boost milk production is an example of how a sector that has traditionally been a backbone of rural India’s economy can be transformed through innovation, investment, and a strong focus on community development.
With this initiative, Assam’s dairy industry is poised for significant growth, and with continued support and investment from the state government, the 10 lakh litre daily milk production target might soon become a reality, positively impacting both the farmers and the state’s economy.