Guwahati : Organised cooperative dairying formally entered Assam’s Barak Valley on Sunday with the inauguration of a renovated milk processing plant at Gungoor in Silchar, marking a significant step in strengthening the state’s dairy infrastructure.

The facility, which had remained defunct for several years under the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department (AHVD), has been refurbished and made operational by North East Dairy and Foods Limited (NEDFL), a joint venture between the Assam government and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). The revival of the plant was undertaken under the Assam Dairy Development Plan.

With an upgraded processing capacity of 20,000 litres per day (LPD), the plant is expected to provide a major boost to milk procurement, processing and marketing in the Barak Valley region. Renovation work, completed in under 10 months, was carried out by IDMC Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of NDDB.

Following the commissioning of the facility, consumers in Silchar and adjoining areas will have access to hygienically packed fresh pouch milk under the Purabi brand. As part of its initial offerings, the company will introduce ‘Purabi Plus’ milk in 250 ml and 500 ml pouches, priced at Rs 18 and Rs 35 respectively.

Officials said the milk will contain 4.5 per cent fat and 8.5 per cent solids-not-fat (SNF), aligning with quality standards aimed at ensuring consistency and nutrition. In addition to pouch milk, the plant will produce a range of dairy products including sweet curd, plain curd, lassi, paneer, ghee, ice cream and flavoured milk.

The expansion into Barak Valley is expected to reduce dependence on loose milk and ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk products, which have traditionally dominated the local market. Authorities emphasised that proper refrigeration and cold chain management will be critical to maintaining the freshness and quality of pouch milk.

According to officials, the plant’s operationalisation will create a structured dairy ecosystem in the region by establishing stable procurement channels for local farmers. The initiative aims to ensure assured market access and fair pricing for milk producers, thereby strengthening rural livelihoods.

The move aligns with the Assam government’s broader target of achieving 10 lakh litres of milk processing per day across the state. By integrating Barak Valley into the cooperative dairy network, authorities hope to enhance milk collection, processing efficiency and supply chain reliability.

NEDFL and NDDB have jointly invested Rs 10 crore in renovating the Silchar facility. Additional financial assistance has been extended through the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF), a central scheme designed to support the modernisation of livestock infrastructure.

Further, NDDB Dairy Services has provided Rs 2 crore to support initial milk procurement activities and assist in setting up a producer organisation under the Assam State and National Rural Livelihood Missions (ASRLM/NRLM).