Assam has begun exporting dairy products, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma flagging off the first consignment of ‘Purabi’ ice-cream to Bhutan on Tuesday. This marks a significant milestone for the state’s dairy sector, which has been the focus of numerous development initiatives by the state government in recent years. The initial consignment consists of 5,627 litres of ice-cream, which will be distributed across major markets in Bhutan, including Thimphu, Paro, Phuentsholing, and Wangdue.
The products are manufactured by the West Assam Milk Producers’ Cooperative Union Limited (WAMUL) and marketed by North East Dairy and Foods Limited (NEDFL) under the ‘Purabi’ brand name. The ‘Purabi’ dairy products are made from milk sourced from dairy farmers across Assam through a cooperative network. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) played a crucial role in facilitating the export by supporting NEDFL in completing the necessary processes, documentation, and regulatory formalities.
According to Chief Minister Sarma, the state government’s efforts to develop the dairy sector are now yielding results. Assam currently processes up to 2,50,000 litres of milk daily to produce various dairy products. The export of dairy products to Bhutan is an encouraging development for the sector, with regular exports to the neighbouring country expected to follow.
