Guwahati: Purabi Dairy, Northeast India’s largest dairy cooperative, on Monday celebrated pre-Magh Bihu at its Panjabari processing plant here, highlighting a year of growth marked by higher milk procurement, expanding farmer participation and wider market reach across Assam.
Officials of the West Assam Milk Producers’ Cooperative Union Ltd (WAMUL) said the cooperative recorded a significant rise in milk production and procurement over the past year, alongside an increase in the number of Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCS) under its network.
The organised dairy system has also strengthened in Upper Assam, bringing more farmers into the cooperative fold and ensuring stable incomes at the grassroots level.
WAMUL Managing Director Sameer Kumar Parida said Purabi continued to prioritise farmer-centric growth by strengthening procurement systems, expanding cooperative membership and improving market access. He said these measures are helping dairy farming emerge as a sustainable livelihood option for thousands of rural families in Assam.
During the year, Purabi expanded its product range with the launch of Traditional Indian Sweets, which received encouraging consumer response. Demand for value-added products such as flavoured milk and ice cream remained strong, while longer shelf-life products like UHT milk enabled the cooperative to access distant markets.
Officials said Purabi’s distribution network has widened considerably, improving product availability across a larger geography. In Guwahati, new Purabi Milk Booths were opened in partnership with the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) and the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), strengthening last-mile delivery and promoting local entrepreneurship.
Reiterating that strengthening the rural economy remains its core objective, the cooperative said it continues to support farmers through assured procurement, timely payments, capacity building and technical assistance to improve productivity and income stability.
Looking ahead, Purabi Dairy is also preparing for infrastructure expansion with new milk processing plants planned at Silchar, Jorhat and Dibrugarh. Officials said these facilities will boost local procurement, reduce transportation costs and support region-specific dairy development in Barak Valley and Upper Assam.
The pre-Magh Bihu event featured traditional Assamese dishes prepared using Purabi dairy products, along with cultural performances. Officials said the celebration reflected the harvest spirit of the season and reaffirmed Purabi’s commitment to building a self-reliant dairy ecosystem that benefits farmers and delivers quality nutrition to consumers across Assam.