Guwahati: After (WAMUL) West Assam Milk Producers' Cooperative Union, the Assam government today handed over operational administration of East Assam Milk Producers' Cooperative Union Limited (EAMUL) to the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).

Yesterday, an agreement was made with NDDB to strengthen the financials of the ailing EAMUL- the ailing cooperative body. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed optimism today that the arrangement of turning over operational administration of the East Assam Milk Producers' Cooperative body, like in the case of Purabi Dairy, will be implemented.

"Just as handing over the management of Purabi Dairy to NDDB saved the cooperative body (West Assam Milk Producers' Cooperative Union) from near-collapse in 2008," the Chief Minister said, "I am confident today's decision will also prove decisive in bringing a hugely positive development in the fortunes of the milk producers' union of eastern Assam."

Referring to the state's total daily low milk output of around 1 lakh litres (against the demand of roughly 42 lakh litres) in comparison to states such as Gujarat and Karnataka (with 2 crore litres and 80 lakhs of daily milk production, respectively), the Chief Minister spoke about the numerous steps already in place or in the works to bring about a "White Revolution" in the state. "We have taken a lot of key actions in the state to bring about a "White Revolution." First and foremost, we imported a big quantity of Gir breed cows from Gujarat. We intend to increase that figure to 15,000 people. Second, we are heavily utilising artificial insemination procedures in order to produce the greatest cow progeny in the state. Third, we are improving the cooperative milk production environment by offering dairy farmers opportunities to diversify their markets through efforts like today's agreement signing," the Chief Minister said, adding:

"Furthermore, we are committed to transforming Assam into a milk-processing centre by investing in milk processing plants." Furthermore, we are attempting to provide dairy farmers with cheap veterinarian care. This would ensure the state's cattle population is healthy." "If we can boost daily milk output to even a million (10 lakh) litres, it will lessen our reliance on milk from outside the state." This would result in significant financial benefit for our dairy producers," said the Chief Minister.