Tripura’s BAPCL Sets Benchmark in Milk Supply with Support from NABARD and Institutions

Agartala, Nov 20, 2024, By Our Correspondent

Agro-entrepreneurship in Tripura is reaching new heights with the Bagma Agri Producer Company Limited (BAPCL), a Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) supported by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). BAPCL has achieved a remarkable milestone by supplying nearly 300 liters of milk daily, involving approximately 100 farmers directly and indirectly.This achievement is the result of collaborative efforts with technical institutions such as the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), and the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) Eastern Regional Station (ERS) in Kalyani, West Bengal. These partnerships have enabled BAPCL to enhance production efficiency and adopt sustainable practices.Kiran Bhowmik, a Research Associate with the 16th Finance Commission at Tripura University and Advisor to BAPCL, highlighted key statistics reflecting the sector's progress. The average retail price of cow milk in Tripura has risen to Rs.60.81 per liter, an increase of Rs.6.70 from the previous year. The total value of cow milk per kilogram is estimated at Rs.1,34,995.89 lakh, contributing 34.85 percent to the livestock sector's output in 2022–23.Over the years, milk availability and production have significantly improved in the state. The per capita milk availability has grown from 67.51 grams per day in 2002–03 during the 10th Plan period to 141.15 grams per day in 2020–21 under the 13th Plan. Similarly, milk production has increased from 88,683 metric tons (MT) in 2006–07 to an impressive 2,30,115 MT in 2022–23 under the 14th Plan. BAPCL has evolved into a research-centric organization, drawing students, researchers, and academicians from various institutions for knowledge exchange and project development. Sudip Majumder, a representative of BAPCL, emphasized the need for strategic execution to meet growing demand and unlock further opportunities in the dairy sector. The success of BAPCL underscores the potential of Tripura’s dairy industry to contribute to rural development, with continued efforts poised to strengthen its role in the state’s economy