Silchar, March 2, 2026: In a major boost to southern Assam’s dairy sector, the renovated dairy processing plant at Gungoor, Silchar, was formally inaugurated, marking the official entry of organized cooperative dairying into the Barak Valley.
The facility was inaugurated by Shri Krishnendu Paul, Minister of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary, Government of Assam, in the presence of Shri Kaushik Rai, Minister for Barak Valley Development, and S. Regupathi, Executive Director of the National Dairy Development Board. MPs, MLAs, district officials, and regional dignitaries also attended the ceremony.
Reviving a Defunct Plant into a Modern Facility
The dairy plant, originally owned by the Assam Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department, had remained non-operational for several years. Under the Assam Dairy Development Plan, the Government of Assam handed it over to North East Dairy and Foods Limited (NEDFL) — a joint venture between the Government of Assam and NDDB — for renovation and operationalisation.
The upgraded plant now has a processing capacity of 20,000 litres per day (LPD) and was completed in under 10 months by IDMC Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of NDDB.
With an investment of ₹10 crore, supported by NDDB and the Government of India’s AHIDF scheme, the facility represents a significant infrastructure milestone for the region.
Launch of ‘Purabi Plus’ in Silchar
With commissioning of the plant, consumers in Silchar and nearby areas will now have access to standardized, hygienically packed fresh milk under the brand name Purabi Plus.
Product details:
- Fat: 4.5%
- SNF: 8.5%
- Pack sizes: 250 ml (₹18) and 500 ml (₹35)
In addition to pouch milk, products such as sweet curd, plain curd, lassi, paneer, ghee, ice cream, flavoured milk, and honey will be available.
Until now, the region largely depended on loose milk or UHT milk. The introduction of fresh pouch milk is expected to improve quality assurance and consumer confidence — provided proper cold chain and refrigeration are maintained.
Strategic Importance for Assam’s Dairy Vision
The initiative aligns with Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma’s vision of building a self-reliant and farmer-centric dairy ecosystem in Assam. The state has set a target of achieving 10 lakh litres per day processing capacity, and inclusion of Barak Valley is a critical step toward balanced regional growth.
Read More: Global Dairy Trade Event 399 Shows 5.7% Price Surge Despite Lower Volumes
NDDB Chairman Dr. Meenesh Shah highlighted that the plant will pave the way for establishing a producer organization under ASRLM/NRLM to strengthen milk procurement systems and ensure stable incomes for local dairy farmers. NDDB Dairy Services (NDS) has already provided ₹2 crore as initial capital support for procurement activities.
What This Means for Barak Valley
This development is more than just a plant inauguration. It signals:
- Formal integration of Barak Valley into Assam’s cooperative dairy network
- Assured procurement channels for local dairy farmers
- Improved milk quality and food safety for consumers
- Creation of rural employment and sustainable livelihood opportunities
In short, organized dairying has finally reached Barak Valley — and if procurement networks scale effectively, this could transform the region’s rural economy over the next decade.
A 20,000 LPD plant today may look modest, but strategically, it’s a foundation stone.
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