Assam Governor pushes for dairy sector revival through cooperative model, calls youth key to growth

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 4, 2025

Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on Wednesday held a high-level briefing at Raj Bhavan focused on boosting the state’s dairy sector through stronger coordination between the Cooperation Department, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department, and the West Assam Milk Producers’ Cooperative Union Ltd. (WAMUL).

Emphasizing the transformative potential of cooperatives, the Governor said they can play a critical role in combating rural unemployment and driving self-reliance. “When youth are trained and actively involved, cooperatives can become powerful engines of economic growth in rural areas,” he noted.

Acharya highlighted the Centre’s strategic focus on the cooperative movement, referencing the creation of the Ministry of Cooperation in July 2021 as a key move under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Prosperity through Cooperation” initiative. He praised Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah for revitalizing the sector with policy-level reforms.

Calling for youth-centric approaches, the Governor stressed the need for integrating cooperative education into school and college curricula and developing dynamic policies that inspire the next generation to engage with the movement. “Cooperatives must become aspirational,” he said.

Acharya also invoked the success of India’s White Revolution, pointing to the cooperative sector’s vital contribution to milk self-sufficiency. He urged Assam’s cooperatives to take bold steps and emerge as leaders in dairy production in the Northeast.

The session included detailed presentations by senior officials outlining current projects, opportunities for growth, and strategies to improve collaboration across departments.

Among the key attendees were Additional Chief Secretary Kalyan Chakravarthy, Registrar of Cooperative Societies Narayan Konwar, OSD to the Governor Prof. Bechan Lal, Commissioner and Secretary to the Governor S.S. Meenakshi Sundaram, Secretary of the Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department Dr. Sadnek Singh, WAMUL MD S.K. Parida, as well as progressive farmers and entrepreneurs from the dairy sector.