North East Dairy and Foods Ltd (NEDFL), which markets products under the Purabi brand, has successfully launched Assam's first compressed biogas plant after signing a comprehensive agreement with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and Suzuki R&D Centre India (SRDI). The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in New Delhi on July 2 in the presence of Suzuki Motor Corporation President Toshihiro Suzuki and NDDB Chairman Dr Meenesh Shah. The agreement was signed by NDDB Executive Director S. Rajeev, NEDFL Managing Director Satya Brata Bose, and Suzuki R&D Centre India Director Kenichiro Toyofuku, marking the official launch of this landmark sustainable energy initiative. As reported by Business Standard, NEDFL is a joint venture between the Government of Assam and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) that markets dairy products under the Purabi brand.
Under the agreement, NDDB will provide technical and institutional support for the project, while NEDFL operates the facility and manages the compressed biogas plant production. As reported by Business Standard, Suzuki R&D Centre India provides financial investment in exchange for carbon credits associated with the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The plant processes cattle dung and other agricultural residues to produce compressed biogas, a clean and renewable fuel that can be used as an alternative to conventional fossil fuels for vehicles and industrial applications. NEDFL will execute the project, operate the proposed CBG plant and undertake the marketing and sale of the compressed biogas and bio-fertilizers produced. The by-product from the process is converted into organic fertiliser, supporting soil health and encouraging sustainable agricultural practices.
The facility is expected to provide dairy farmers with an additional revenue stream by creating economic value from waste that would otherwise go unused. As reported by Business Standard, NDDB chairman Meenesh Shah noted that Assam and the Northeast are known for their naturally sustainable farming systems, and this initiative will further promote environmentally friendly agriculture while improving the livelihoods of dairy farmers through an integrated circular economy model. The organic fertiliser generated through the plant will encourage sustainable farming practices and help improve soil health across the region, supporting the broader agricultural sector while reducing waste disposal costs for farmers. The project is expected to strengthen rural livelihoods, promote scientific waste management, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to cleaner mobility.
According to Suzuki Motor Corporation representative director and president Toshihiro Suzuki, the company currently operates nine biogas plant projects across India, including two operational plants in Gujarat's Banaskantha. This new facility represents a significant expansion of Suzuki's biogas portfolio in India and marks a major milestone for the India-Japan partnership. As reported by Business Standard, Suzuki will continue to contribute towards the efforts of the governments of Japan and India to promote the adoption of biogas plants in India, with this initiative pushing Assam toward clean energy while strengthening the regional economy through sustainable development practices. NEDFL Managing Director SB Bose reiterated Purabi's commitment to turn this project into a milestone in the journey to a cleaner and greener world.
