COMFED expands SUDHA’s presence in Assam, North-East
Bihar State Milk Co-operative Federation Ltd (COMFED), which markets dairy products under the SUDHA brand, is strengthening its presence in Assam and the adjoining North-Eastern States through expanded processing capacity and a growing retail network.
As part of the expansion, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated a 20,000 litres per day (LPD) milk processing plant at Kanyaka Dairy, Shantipur, Jamugurihat, Tezpur, Sonitpur, on Thursday. Shirsat Kapil Ashok, IAS, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, COMFED, attended the inauguration.
The new plant is expected to strengthen supplies to Tezpur and adjoining areas and support further expansion of SUDHA’s regional distribution network.
SUDHA expands retail network in Assam, North-East
COMFED began marketing SUDHA pouch milk and milk products in Guwahati in November 2018 through a third-party dairy facility at Amingaon. Since then, it has expanded operations to other parts of Assam and neighbouring states, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh.
At present, COMFED’s Guwahati unit markets a range of SUDHA products, including pouch milk, curd, paneer, lassi, peda and milk cake, through approximately 2,200 retail outlets.
Average milk sales from the unit stand at around 50,500 litres per day. During the financial year 2025-26, the unit recorded a turnover of Rs 121.17 crore and a profit of Rs 8.06 crore, reflecting the growing acceptance of the SUDHA brand in the region.
Assam offers significant potential for dairy sector
The North-East, particularly Assam, offers considerable potential for the organised dairy sector.
According to the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Assam’s household demand for milk and milk products is projected to increase to 89.87 lakh litres per day by 2030.
The projected increase indicates substantial scope to expand dairy supplies, processing infrastructure, and retail distribution in the State.
Expansion in the North-East requires reliable processing and distribution arrangements to serve markets spread across different locations and terrain. COMFED’s approach seeks to bring processing closer to these markets, improve supply reliability and make SUDHA products more widely accessible to consumers.
COMFED plans one lakh LPD dairy facility
COMFED has also begun steps to set up its own dairy processing facility in Assam, with a proposed capacity of one lakh litres per day.
For the proposed project, COMFED has requested the Government of Assam to allot suitable land. The Assam Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) has identified potential locations and shown them to COMFED for consideration.
Focus on ‘cooperation among cooperatives’
As a dairy cooperative federation, COMFED’s expansion also offers scope to advance the principle of “cooperation among cooperatives.”
Collaboration in milk sourcing, processing, distribution, and technical support can help cooperative institutions share resources and expertise, strengthen market access, and improve services for producers and consumers.
Such partnerships can connect Bihar’s established dairy cooperative network with opportunities in the North-East and support the wider development of cooperative dairying.
COMFED contributes to Assam flood relief
Alongside its business operations, COMFED has also contributed to relief efforts in Assam. During the recent floods, its Guwahati unit donated `4 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma appreciated the contribution.
Through these initiatives, COMFED aims to strengthen SUDHA’s presence in the North-East while supporting reliable dairy supplies, regional partnerships and the cooperative approach to dairy development.
For Bihar’s milk producers, a stronger presence in the North-East will provide access to a wider consumer market for their milk and value-added dairy products. Increased sales through COMFED’s network can support sustained procurement from village-level dairy cooperative societies and create opportunities for greater value addition.
