NABARD and Tripura Gramin Bank launch Tripura’s first Milk Production Initiative with Bagma Agri Producer Company Limited, empowering 29 farmers through Kisan Credit Card loans to boost rural dairy production and pave the way for a new milk processing unit.
In a ground-breaking step to strengthen rural dairy farming, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has launched Tripura’s first Milk Production Initiative through the Bagma Agri Producer Company Limited (BAPCL). The project, supported financially by Tripura Gramin Bank (TGB) under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme, aims to empower small farmers and expand the state’s milk production capacity.
The launch event, held at the BAPCL Conference Hall, marked the official rollout of this unique initiative that combines financial inclusion, cooperative development, and rural enterprise. A total of 29 beneficiaries from five TGB branches — Atharobhola, Charilam, Bagma, Gokulpur, and Nalchhar — received KCC sanction letters during the programme. These loans will enable the farmers to expand their dairy units, improve infrastructure, and enhance productivity.
Tripartite Collaboration for Rural Empowerment
The programme signifies the formation of Tripura’s first-ever tripartite collaboration between beneficiaries, a financial institution, and a producer company. NABARD, TGB, and BAPCL have joined hands to create a self-sustaining model that directly links credit support with production enhancement and market facilitation.
Speaking at the event, Satyendra Singh, Chairman of Tripura Gramin Bank, expressed pride in the bank’s continuing role in supporting rural livelihoods.
“Tripura Gramin Bank has always prioritized rural welfare. This dairy initiative will not only generate income but also promote sustainable development in the agricultural sector. We plan to extend similar programmes to South Tripura soon,” Singh said.
NABARD’s Vision for Dairy Growth in Tripura
Anil S. Kotmire, General Manager of NABARD’s Tripura Regional Office, underlined the long-term goal of the project. He announced a target of achieving 2,000 litres of daily milk production through BAPCL in the near future.
“This initiative lays the foundation for setting up a dedicated milk processing unit in Tripura. It will create a stable supply chain and promote rural entrepreneurship,” Kotmire stated.
NABARD, as India’s apex rural development bank, has been instrumental in financing agri-based enterprises, strengthening producer organizations, and enabling farmers’ access to institutional credit through the KCC framework.
Encouraging Sustainable Rural Enterprise
Khokan Dey, District Development Manager (DDM) of NABARD for Gomati and South Tripura districts, stressed the importance of coordinated efforts among farmers, financial institutions, and cooperatives.
“To ensure productivity and fair pricing, all stakeholders must work together. Farmers should effectively utilize KCC assistance to expand dairy operations and ensure a steady flow of quality milk,” Dey said.
He also highlighted how the project aligns with NABARD’s broader mission to promote self-reliant rural communities through sustainable agri-business and farmer-producer organizations.
BAPCL’s Role in Dairy Expansion
Under the leadership of Dr. Farukul Islam, CEO of BAPCL, and Sudip Majumder, Managing Director, the company will facilitate training, supply chain management, and procurement of milk from the beneficiaries. BAPCL plans to build a network connecting small dairy farmers to modern processing and marketing systems.
The initiative will ensure that local dairy producers gain fair returns for their efforts while contributing to Tripura’s broader goal of milk self-sufficiency.
Boosting Rural Economy and Employment
With the implementation of this initiative, Tripura is expected to see a significant rise in local milk availability, reducing dependence on imports from neighboring states. Moreover, it will generate new employment opportunities in dairy farming, animal husbandry, and allied services like transportation and cold storage.
As the project progresses, NABARD and TGB plan to replicate the model across other districts, thus creating a state-wide rural dairy network. The combined approach of financial inclusion, cooperative management, and sustainable agriculture is anticipated to transform the state’s dairy ecosystem.
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This initiative stands as a milestone in Tripura’s rural development journey, reinforcing the vision of self-reliant villages powered by producer-led enterprises.
