Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday, 2 July reaffirmed the state government's resolve to scale up the dairy sector, setting a firm target of 10 lakh litres of milk production per day while pledging to improve the livelihoods of thousands of rural families across the state. Sarma shared the government's vision through a post on X, underscoring dairy's centrality to Assam's rural economy and nutritional security.

The Production Target and What It Means

The 10 lakh litres per day target is not merely a production benchmark — it represents a structural shift in how Assam plans to manage its dairy supply chain. Currently, the state relies on milk imports from neighbouring states to meet demand, a dependence that officials say the new push is designed to eliminate. Achieving the target would make Assam self-sufficient in dairy production and expand the state's agri-allied economy significantly.

'Our mission is to produce 10 lakh litres of milk every day,' Sarma said in his post. He added: 'Every glass of milk nourishes a family and strengthens the rural economy.'

Subsidies and Support for Dairy Farmers

The state government is currently providing subsidies to more than 25,000 dairy farmers to boost productivity and modernise farm operations. The subsidy programme is designed to help farmers purchase quality cattle, adopt improved dairy practices, and upgrade infrastructure at the farm level.

Alongside financial assistance, the government has been rolling out measures covering better livestock management, scientific breeding practices, and enhanced veterinary support. Fodder availability and milk collection infrastructure have also been prioritised as part of the broader intervention package.

Rural Economy and Employment Impact

The dairy sector has emerged as a critical pillar of Assam's rural economy, particularly for small and marginal farmers who supplement agricultural income through livestock rearing. A senior government official noted that increased milk production will improve nutritional security while generating employment across the dairy value chain — spanning processing, transportation, and marketing.

This comes amid Assam's broader push to position agriculture and allied sectors, including fisheries and animal husbandry, as key drivers of rural prosperity. Notably, dairy has been identified alongside these sectors as a priority employment generator in the state's development strategy.

What the Government Is Doing Next

Authorities expressed confidence that continued policy support and active farmer participation will bring the state progressively closer to its ambitious daily production goal. Officials expect these combined interventions — financial, technical, and infrastructural — to raise per-animal productivity and ensure sustainable income generation in rural Assam. The government's long-term vision is to build an organised, self-reliant dairy ecosystem that reduces import dependence and strengthens household incomes across the state's rural belt.