The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) plans to significantly expand India’s dairy cooperative network over the next five years, with Rajasthan set to play a central role. Nearly 8,000 villages in the state will be linked to organised dairy cooperatives, strengthening farmer participation and milk procurement systems.
Speaking at the Rangeelo 2026 dairy and livestock festival in Jobner, NDDB Chairman Meenesh Shah said the initiative aims to improve milk quality, transparency, and farmer incomes. In addition to new village inclusion, NDDB will upgrade infrastructure in around 4,000 existing cooperative villages by installing milk testing and procurement facilities.
As a result, more milk is expected to flow into the organised sector, which currently handles only 35–40% of India’s marketable surplus. This shift is critical, as it ensures better price realisation for farmers and safer dairy products for consumers.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan, the country’s second-largest milk producer, stands to gain under the White Revolution 2.0 programme. The expansion aligns with the state’s dairy growth strategy and rural employment goals.
However, NDDB also highlighted sustainability challenges linked to India’s large livestock population. To address methane emissions, the board is promoting biogas generation and scientific manure management. Farmers are being encouraged to adopt small biogas units to generate clean energy and additional income.
Overall, the initiative signals a renewed push towards cooperative-led, sustainable dairy growth, reinforcing NDDB’s long-term vision for rural prosperity and food security.