On the occasion of World Milk Day Guwahati-based West Assam Milk Producers’ Cooperative Union Ltd. (WAMUL), popularly known as Purabi Dairy, shared information about initiatives focused on sustainability in the dairy sector while taking into account the environmental, nutritional and socio-economic aspects.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations had selected the theme for this year’s World Milk Day as ‘sustainability in the dairy sector’. It aim is to re-introduce dairy farming to the world, by helping to create a low-carbon future for dairy industry.
WAMUL, through various field-based interventions, has always emphasized on making use of sustainable sources of energy to ensure maximum benefits to the dairy cooperatives and the farmers . “From installing solar powered Automatic Milk Collection System (AMCS) at Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCS) to introducing Flexi Biogas systems to dairy farmers on a pilot basis, WAMUL has ensured minimizing cost & maximizing benefits to all the stakeholder associated with dairying,” the cooperative said.
Such interventions have also been introduced under the World Bank-funded Assam Project for Agribusiness & Rural Transformation (APART) of Government of Assam, wherein more than 220 number of solar powered AMCSs, two solar powered Instant Milk Chilling Systems were provided to the DCSs and a Bulk Milk Cooling Center as well .
“By tapping into the solar energy, the aim is to reduce the carbon footprint, along with reducing the operational cost, improving the milk quality and having a transparent milk collection environment. In view of the success and efficiency of the aforementioned systems, in time to come, WAMUL plans to roll out the Flexi Biogas model (along with Consolidated Manure Management) and solar powered BMC/ Milk Chilling Centre across Assam on a substantial scale,” it added.
New generation initiatives and practices are encouraging new entrepreneurs to enter the Dairy business and strengthen the Dairy Cooperative moment in Assam. Moreover, the ever-increasing requirement of nutrition of citizens, especially the city dwellers, gives a unique opportunity of livelihood to the farmers through dairying – milk and milk-based products being an ideal avenue to provide nutrition. And on this occasion Purabi Dairy wishes to thank all consumers and stakeholders on behalf the associated farmers.
