Guwahati, July 6: The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Suzuki R&D Centre India Pvt. Ltd. (SRDI) and North East Dairy and Foods Ltd. (NEDFL), which markets dairy products under the Purabi brand, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a compressed biogas (CBG) plant in Assam.
The MoU was signed on 2 July 2026 in New Delhi in the presence of Toshihiro Suzuki, President of Suzuki Motor Corporation, and Dr Meenesh Shah, Chairman of NDDB.
The agreement was signed by S. Rajeev, Executive Director, NDDB; Satya Brata Bose, Managing Director, NEDFL; and Kenichiro Toyofuku, Director, Suzuki R&D Centre India.
NEDFL is a joint venture between the Government of Assam and NDDB and markets its dairy products under the Purabi brand. The company has played an important role in strengthening the cooperative dairy sector in Assam and supporting dairy farmers across the state.
Turning Dairy and Agricultural Waste into Clean Energy
The proposed project aims to convert agricultural and dairy waste into compressed biogas and organic fertiliser, creating a circular model that links dairy farming, waste management, renewable energy and sustainable agriculture.
Compressed biogas can be used as a cleaner alternative to conventional fossil fuels in transport and certain industrial applications.
The project is expected to support scientific waste management, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create additional economic opportunities for farmers by generating value from agricultural residues and dairy waste.
The organic fertiliser produced as part of the process is also expected to support sustainable farming practices and improve soil health.
NDDB to Provide Technical and Institutional Support
Under the collaboration, NDDB will provide technical and institutional support for the proposed project.
NEDFL will be responsible for project execution, operation of the CBG plant and the marketing and sale of the compressed biogas and bio-fertilisers produced.
Suzuki R&D India will invest in the project and realise the associated carbon benefits generated through reductions in carbon emissions.
The partnership brings together dairy sector infrastructure, farmer networks, technical expertise and investment support to develop an integrated waste-to-value model for Assam.
Project Could Support Additional Farmer Income
The project is expected to create an additional source of income for farmers by assigning economic value to agricultural and dairy waste that may otherwise remain underutilised.
Dr Meenesh Shah, Chairman of NDDB, highlighted the potential alignment between the project and the region’s existing agricultural practices.
He said that the North-East, and Assam in particular, are known for near-natural agricultural practices and that the initiative could support the state’s transition towards more sustainable and organic agriculture while improving incomes from dairying.
The project also reflects a broader effort to develop circular dairy economy models where livestock waste and agricultural residues are converted into renewable energy and soil nutrients.
Suzuki Expands Biogas Initiatives in India
Suzuki Motor Corporation is already involved in several biogas initiatives in India.
Toshihiro Suzuki, Representative Director and President of Suzuki Motor Corporation, said the company is currently involved in nine biogas plants across India, with two already operational in Banaskantha, Gujarat.
He said the new Assam project forms part of Suzuki’s continued efforts to contribute to the adoption of biogas technologies in India.
The partnership also demonstrates growing interest among automotive and mobility companies in renewable fuels, particularly where biogas production can be integrated with livestock-intensive rural economies.
Purabi Dairy Emphasises Green Growth
Satya Brata Bose, Managing Director of NEDFL, reiterated Purabi’s commitment to developing the project as an important milestone in the journey towards cleaner and more sustainable development.
For Assam’s dairy sector, the proposed CBG plant could create value beyond milk production by integrating waste management and renewable energy generation into the dairy value chain.
This approach can potentially help dairy farmers diversify income sources while improving the environmental management of livestock waste.
Circular Economy Model for Assam’s Dairy Sector
The proposed compressed biogas plant is expected to strengthen Assam’s sustainability initiatives by integrating clean energy production, responsible waste management and agricultural productivity.
The collaboration between NDDB, Suzuki R&D India and NEDFL also highlights the growing role of cross-sector partnerships in developing sustainable dairy infrastructure.
By converting dairy and agricultural waste into fuel and fertiliser, the project has the potential to create environmental and economic value across the dairy value chain.
As India’s dairy industry continues to expand, waste-to-energy projects could become an increasingly important part of efforts to improve farm incomes, reduce emissions and develop more circular dairy production systems.