🥛 India Strengthens Dairy Sector with Investments in Processing, Fodder and Livestock Development
The Government of India has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the dairy and livestock sectors through continued investments in milk processing infrastructure, livestock development, fodder availability, and market access. Responding to questions in the Lok Sabha, the government highlighted ongoing initiatives aimed at improving dairy productivity, supporting farmers, and enhancing India’s global competitiveness in dairy exports.
🏗️ Dairy Infrastructure Expansion Continues
To modernize milk procurement and processing systems, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing two flagship programmes:
- 🥛 National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD)
- 🏭 Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF)
Under the NPDD, Bhind and Datia districts in Madhya Pradesh have been approved for infrastructure strengthening.
Key approvals include:
- 🧊 Installation of a 3,000-litre Bulk Milk Cooler in Bhind.
- 🤝 Milk collection facilities for 34 Dairy Cooperative Societies in Bhind and 14 societies in Datia.
The government clarified that no project proposals have yet been received from these districts under the AHIDF scheme.
🌾 Focus on Fodder and Feed Security
To reduce feed costs and improve livestock productivity, the government continues to implement the National Livestock Mission (NLM).
Achievements under the programme include:
- 🌱 Production of 1.62 lakh tonnes of fodder seeds.
- 🏭 Approval of 204 feed and fodder enterprise units.
- 👨🌾 Establishment of 100 fodder-based Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) across 19 states.
These initiatives aim to strengthen local fodder supply chains and lower input costs for dairy farmers.
🥛 Delhi’s Growing Milk Demand
The government stated that Delhi’s milk requirements continue to be adequately met through existing dairy networks.
According to the National Dairy Plan Phase-I study:
- 📈 Milk demand in Delhi stood at 111 lakh litres per day (LLPD) in 2019.
- 📊 Demand is projected to increase to 173.5 LLPD by 2030.
Current supplies are sourced from Mother Dairy, Amul (GCMMF), Delhi Milk Scheme (DMS), COMFED, Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) and private dairies, all operating under FSSAI standards.
📊 Strong Growth in Dairy and Livestock Production
The government highlighted significant progress achieved over the past decade:
- 🥛 Milk production increased from 146.31 million tonnes (2014–15) to 248.87 million tonnes (2024–25), representing a 70% increase.
- 🥚 Egg production rose from 78.48 billion to 149.11 billion, recording nearly 90% growth during the same period.
🐄 Digital Livestock Traceability
To strengthen livestock identification and improve export readiness, the Department has partnered with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to develop the Bharat Pashudhan database.
Each animal is assigned a unique 12-digit Tag ID, improving traceability, disease management, and market access while supporting future livestock exports.
🌍 Supporting Long-Term Dairy Growth
The Government reiterated that although Animal Husbandry remains a State subject, it will continue supporting states and Union Territories through flagship schemes including:
- 🐄 Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM)
- 🌱 National Livestock Mission (NLM)
- 💉 Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP)
- 🥛 National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD)
- 🏗️ Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF)
These programmes aim to modernize dairy infrastructure, improve livestock productivity, strengthen dairy value chains, enhance farmer incomes, and increase the global competitiveness of India’s dairy sector.