In a major push to rural self-reliance and economic empowerment, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced the formation of 4,000 dairy cooperatives across the state. Speaking at a recent event, Sarma underscored the government’s commitment to transforming Assam’s livestock and dairy economy, calling the initiative a “white revolution” tailored for the state’s agrarian communities.
“Our aim is to create 4,000 dairy cooperative societies that will empower small farmers, especially women, and ensure sustainable livelihood opportunities in every village,” said Sarma. “We are not just creating institutions—we are building a dairy movement that will reach the grassroots.”
The announcement comes as part of a broader rural development agenda that emphasizes the cooperative model for income generation, nutritional security, and self-employment. The state government has already begun mobilizing resources for infrastructure, cold-chain logistics, veterinary support, and training of dairy farmers.
Sarma highlighted that the model has been designed in collaboration with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and Amul to ensure technical robustness and market connectivity.
“In the past, Assam imported much of its milk. We are changing that. Through these cooperatives, farmers will be producers, processors, and sellers. We want to see Assam become self-sufficient in milk production within the next few years,” Sarma added.
The dairy cooperatives will function under the umbrella of a three-tier cooperative structure—village-level dairy cooperative societies, milk unions at the district level, and a state-level federation. This model will enable efficient procurement, processing, branding, and marketing of milk and dairy products.
Sarma emphasized that women’s participation will be central to this effort. “In each cooperative, at least 50% of the members will be women. This will not only enhance household income but also empower them with leadership roles in rural economic institutions.”
The announcement was received with enthusiasm by dairy farmers and rural self-help groups. “We have seen how cooperatives can transform lives in other states. If implemented sincerely, this can truly change the rural economy in Assam,” said Rani Das, a dairy farmer from Nagaon.
The initiative also aims to reduce dependence on middlemen and private milk traders, ensuring that farmers get remunerative prices. With each society expected to cover around 100–150 dairy farmers, the total outreach could benefit over 5 lakh rural families.
The government has proposed initial seed capital support, subsidized cattle feed, and linkage to veterinary services to help these cooperatives become viable in the short term. The plan also includes introducing high-yielding indigenous and crossbred cows to raise milk productivity.
While the ambitious nature of the announcement has drawn praise, experts have also urged the government to focus on capacity-building and long-term sustainability. “Institutional support, transparent governance, and continuous farmer training will be key to the success of this cooperative movement,” said Dr. R. K. Borah, a dairy specialist from Assam Agricultural University.
If successful, Assam’s dairy cooperative initiative could become a model for other northeastern states, showcasing how cooperatives can power both nutrition and livelihood security.
