Bhopal: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah highlighted the growth of India’s dairy sector and the government’s plans to expand dairy cooperatives while addressing a large gathering of livestock farmers and milk producers in Bhopal on October 3.
Speaking at the Gaupalak Sammelan at Dussehra Maidan, Shah focused on milk production, cooperative development and the role of dairy institutions in improving market access for livestock farmers. He also criticised the Congress over its record on dairy development, arguing that the sector received inadequate support for livestock farmers during earlier governments. These political criticisms were part of his remarks at the gathering.
Milk Production and Availability
Shah highlighted India’s position as the world’s largest milk-producing country and referred to the increase in milk production over the past decade. According to figures cited in his address, milk production increased from 14.60 crore tonnes in 2014-15 to around 25 crore tonnes in 2024-25.
He also cited an increase in per-capita milk availability. Government figures state that per-capita milk availability increased from 307 grams per day in 2014-15 to 485 grams per day, representing a 58% increase.
Shah said the country’s leading milk-producing states include Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. He linked the growth of milk production with government initiatives and the expansion of cooperative structures.
White Revolution 2.0
A major focus of the address was White Revolution 2.0, the Centre’s cooperative-led programme aimed at expanding the reach and capacity of dairy cooperatives.
The programme has a target of establishing 75,000 new Dairy Cooperative Societies and strengthening 46,422 existing societies. As of August 2026, government data showed that 24,097 new dairy cooperative societies had been formed and 31,394 existing societies strengthened.
The initiative is designed to increase milk procurement by dairy cooperatives, improve market access for farmers and strengthen dairy infrastructure. Government plans include support for bulk milk coolers, automatic milk collection units, milk testing equipment, processing and chilling infrastructure, as well as working capital and technical assistance.
Madhya Pradesh in Focus
Madhya Pradesh is expected to receive a significant share of the new cooperative expansion under White Revolution 2.0. Shah said the Centre would work with the state government to increase milk production and collection and strengthen the cooperative network.
The government’s broader approach also seeks to connect dairy development with rural employment and women’s economic participation. Official documents describe women’s empowerment as one of the key objectives of White Revolution 2.0, alongside expanding cooperative coverage and improving farmer incomes.
The programme also incorporates sustainability and circular-economy initiatives. These include better fodder management, breed improvement, vaccination, artificial insemination and the use of sex-sorted semen. The Centre is also promoting systems for scientific dung collection and utilisation, including biogas, organic fertilisers and other value-added applications.
Expanding the Dairy Value Chain
The government’s cooperative strategy goes beyond milk procurement. Under White Revolution 2.0, policymakers are seeking to strengthen the wider dairy value chain so that farmers can benefit from organised markets, processing and value addition.
The Ministry of Cooperation has stated that the programme aims to increase milk procurement by dairy cooperatives by 50% over five years. The initiative is also intended to extend cooperative coverage to villages and panchayats that have previously remained outside organised dairy networks.
For Madhya Pradesh, greater cooperative coverage could provide farmers with additional access to organised milk markets and modern collection and processing infrastructure. The effectiveness of these measures will depend on implementation at the village level and the ability of cooperatives to provide reliable procurement and services.
Shah’s Bhopal address therefore placed dairy cooperatives at the centre of the government’s strategy for expanding milk production, improving farmer market access and creating additional rural economic opportunities. White Revolution 2.0 is expected to remain a major policy focus as the Centre works toward its targets for new and strengthened dairy cooperatives through 2028-29.
