Assam CM urges dairy farmers to look towards SE Asian market

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today appealed the farmers of Assam to look for a market in South East Asian countries for dairy products and urged them to take up dairy farming to start a milk revolution in the state.
Addressing dairy farmers on 'Celebration of Purabi Milk Day' here, Chief Minister Sonowal cited the examples of Gujarat's Amul which he said has created a market for its products.
He said Assam has the potential to grow in the dairy sector and could tap the dairy market in the South-East Asian countries considering the state's geographical advantage.
"Amul has already created a market for its products in countries like Australia, Middle East and in South East Asia. Assam also has the potential to grow in the dairy sector and it is time to resolve to capture the market in our neighbouring country," Sonowal said.

He informed that out of the Rs 25,000 crore revenue generated by Amul, Rs 18,000 crore directly benefitted the farmers.
Appreciating the efforts of Purabi or West Assam Milk Producers' Union Ltd (WAMUL), Sonowal said the production of the WAMUL was only 500 litres per day about eight years ago.

"Now the production of WAMUL has reached 50,000 litres per day and I want this to increase to 5 lakh litres per day in next ten years," he said.
Observing Assam is yet to become self-sufficient in milk production, the Chief Minister said the state imports two lakh litres of milk every day from outside to cater to the consumer's requirement.

Sonowal further said Assam government has decided to invest Rs 1.20 crore in each of the 25000 villages in state under Chief Minister's Samagra Gramin Unnayan Yojana as "One of the priority schemes of the government will be to develop the dairy sector".
Referring to the Prime Minister's development initiative towards the Nort-East, Sonowal said Narendra Modi has announced to turn the region into an organic hub.