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CM Sarma meets Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh at the latter's official residence in New Delhi on Thursday. (Photo: @himantabiswa/X)

Guwahati, Jul 2: The government of Assam has reaffirmed its objective to achieve a daily milk production of 10 lakh litres, as part of its initiative to attain self-sufficiency in dairy and enhance the livelihoods of numerous farmers throughout the state.

During a recent statement, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasized the administration's dedication to bolstering the dairy industry, noting that over 25,000 dairy farmers are receiving subsidies aimed at improving productivity, adopting modern agricultural techniques, and increasing rural incomes.

In a social media update, Sarma underscored the significance of dairy farming in enhancing household nutrition and supporting the rural economy. He stated, "Every glass of milk nourishes a family and strengthens the rural economy," while reiterating the mission to produce 10 lakh litres of milk daily.

Although this target was reiterated recently, it is not a new initiative. The Chief Minister initially unveiled this plan in July 2025 during the launch of Purabi Dairy's expansion project in Guwahati, where he mentioned the establishment of 4,000 milk cooperatives across Assam to meet this goal.

"Our initial aim is to produce 10 lakh litres of milk daily. We plan to create 4,000 milk cooperatives throughout the state. We are not aiming for production in crores of litres like Gujarat or Karnataka," he remarked.

Since then, the state government has been implementing various strategies to boost milk production, including financial support, scientific breeding, improved livestock management, and enhanced veterinary services.

Earlier this year, Sarma also announced the establishment of a significant dairy plant in Mariani, Jorhat district, with an investment of Rs 200 crore. This project is expected to assist local dairy farmers by procuring milk through cooperative societies, thereby creating new job opportunities and promoting self-sufficiency.

Officials are optimistic that these combined efforts will lessen Assam's reliance on milk imports from other states while generating sustainable income for rural households.

During his recent visit to New Delhi, Sarma met with Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, to discuss strategies for accelerating the growth of Assam's livestock and fisheries sectors.

"I had a productive discussion with Hon'ble Union Minister Shri @LalanSingh_1 ji. His extensive experience and deep understanding of the sector were evident in the valuable insights he provided," the Chief Minister shared on social media.

Sarma indicated that the talks focused on leveraging Assam's untapped fisheries potential while enhancing the state's dairy cooperative framework.

The two leaders also explored ways to improve veterinary services, establish Pashu Aushadhi Kendras, set up Tetrapack (UHT) and milk powder facilities, and enhance cattle breeds through artificial insemination.

These proposed measures are part of the Assam government's broader strategy to expand the agri-allied sector, modernize dairy infrastructure, and move towards long-term self-sufficiency in milk production.