In News:

India’s dairy sector has witnessed a transformative expansion over the past decade, emerging as the world’s fastest-growing dairy producer. Milk production has surged by nearly 70% in 11 years, rising from 146 million tonnes in 2014–15 to 239 million tonnes in 2023–24, positioning India as a global dairy powerhouse.

India’s Global Dairy Leadership

• India contributes 24.76% of global milk output, maintaining its status as the world’s largest milk producer.
• The sector contributes around 5% to the national GDP and provides livelihoods to over 8 crore farmers, symbolising inclusive and sustainable rural development.
• The per capita milk availability has increased dramatically from 124 grams/day in 2014–15 to 471 grams/day in 2023–24, significantly exceeding the global average of 322 grams/day.
• Leading milk-producing states include Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, with Haryana consistently ranking among the top three in per capita milk availability.

Institutional Backbone and Cooperative Revolution

• The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), established in 1965, and the Operation Floodprogramme (1970) laid the foundation for India’s dairy success by replicating the Amul cooperative model across the country. These initiatives transformed India from a milk-deficient nation into the largest producer globally.
• Today, the cooperative network includes 22 milk federations, 241 district cooperative unions, 28 marketing dairies, and 25 Milk Producer Organisations (MPOs).
• Nearly 70% of the dairy workforce comprises women, with 35% actively participating in cooperatives, reinforcing the sector’s role in women’s empowerment.
• The government’s focus on strengthening cooperatives was reiterated by the Union Ministry of Cooperation, established in 2021. Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah announced that by 2029, every panchayat will have a cooperative society, fostering local economic resilience.

Modernisation and Expansion: Sabar Dairy as a Model

• The inauguration of the Sabar Dairy Plant in Rohtak, Haryana, marks a milestone in dairy modernisation. Built at a cost of ?350 crore, it is India’s largest integrated plant for curd, buttermilk, and sweets, producing 150 metric tonnes of curd, 10 metric tonnes of yogurt, 3 lakh litres of buttermilk, and 10,000 kg of sweets daily.
• The plant not only caters to the Delhi–NCR region but also benefits farmers across nine states, showcasing the potential of cooperative-led growth.
• This expansion aligns with India’s goal to increase its milk processing capacity from 66 million litres per day to 100 million litres per day by 2028–29, under White Revolution 2.0.

Government Schemes and Technological Advancements

The government has launched several initiatives to enhance dairy productivity and sustainability:

• National Gokul Mission – for conservation and genetic improvement of indigenous breeds.
• National Artificial Insemination Programme – to improve livestock productivity.
• Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) – to support dairy processing and cold-chain facilities.
• National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) – to ensure animal health security.

Additionally, national cooperative societies for animal feed production, organic manure, and circular economy utilisation of animal by-products have been established.

Advanced technologies such as embryo transfer and sex-sorted semen are being promoted for improved breeding efficiency. Research and development in dairy plant design and automation are being accelerated to make India self-reliant in dairy infrastructure.