World Milk Day 2025: India’s Dairy Growth, Livestock Strength & Schemes Driving the Sector

IN NEWS — World Milk Day 2025: India’s Dairy Growth, Livestock Strength & Schemes Driving the Sector

ANALYSIS

1. Significance of World Milk Day 2025

1. Celebrated annually on 1 June, declared by FAO in 2001 to highlight milk's contribution to nutrition, economy, and livelihoods.
2. Theme for 2025: “Let’s Celebrate the Power of Dairy.”
3. Recognises milk as:
   • A source of nutrition and immunity
   • A livelihood base for millions of farmers
   • A contributor to rural economic stability
   • A sustainable food system element when managed responsibly

2. India’s Transformation from Milk Deficit to Dairy Powerhouse

1. At Independence, milk production was less than 21 million tonnes, and per capita availability was 124 g/day (1950–51).
2. Structural shift came with the creation of NDDB (1965) under Dr Verghese Kurien.
3. Operation Flood (1970–1996)established:
   • 73,000+ dairy cooperatives
   • Supply of quality milk to 700 towns
   • Self-sufficiency and export capability

3. India’s Present Dairy Scenario

1. India is the world’s largest milk producer since 1998, contributing 25% of global milk.
2. Per capita availability increased to 471 g/day (2023–24) vs global 322 g/day.
3. Milk production rose 63.56% from 146.3 MT (2014–15) to 239.2 MT (2023–24); CAGR 5.7%.
4. State performance:
   • Uttar Pradesh: Highest contributor at 16.21%.
   • West Bengal: Fastest growth at 9.76% over previous year.

4. Livestock Base and Dairy Workforce

1. India has 303.76 million bovines, 74.26 million goats, and a total livestock population of 536.76 million.
2. Dairy cooperatives include:
   • 22 Federations/Apex Bodies
   • 240 district milk unions
   • 28 marketing dairies
   • 24 Milk Producer Organisations
3. Presence in 2.3 lakh villages, with 18 million dairy farmers.
4. Women’s participation significant at 35%, with 48,000 women dairy cooperatives.
5. Dairy contributes 5% to national economy and provides direct livelihood to over 8 crore farmers.

5. Key Schemes Supporting India’s Dairy Sector

A. Rashtriya Gokul Mission (2014)

1. Aim: Development and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds.
2. Allocation: ₹3400 crore (2021–26).
3. Achievements so far:
   • 8.87 crore animals covered
   • 13.43 crore Artificial Inseminations performed
   • 5.42 crore farmers benefited
4. Target: Raise AI coverage from 30% to 70%.

B. National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD)

1. Launched 2014, restructured 2021 (2021–26).
2. Focus: Infrastructure creation for procurement, processing, marketing of quality milk.
3. Implemented through State Cooperative Dairy Federations.

C. Livestock Health & Disease Control Programme (LHDCP)

1. Revised version approved in March 2025, with outlay ₹3880 crore (2024–26).
2. Components:
   • NADCP
   • LH&DC (CADCP, ESVHD-MVU, ASCAD)
   • Pashu Aushadhi (generic veterinary medicines; ₹75 crore allocation)
3. GOI funds vaccination for FMD, Brucellosis, PPR, CSF across all States/UTs.

D. National Livestock Mission (NLM)

1. Launched 2014–15, realigned 2021–22.
2. Sub-missions:
   • Breed Development
   • Feed and Fodder Development
   • Extension & Innovation
3. Aims to enhance productivity, entrepreneurship and meet domestic nutritional demand.

E. Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF)

1. Started June 2020 under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
2. Supports:
   • Dairy and meat processing infrastructure
   • Animal feed plants
   • Breed improvement technologies

F. Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) for Dairy Farmers

1. Introduced for dairy and livestock farmers from 2019.
2. Improves access to affordable institutional credit.

6. Overall Assessment

1. India’s dairy sector has evolved into the largest agricultural commodity segment.
2. Strong cooperative systems and women’s participation underpin inclusive growth.
3. Technological interventions, disease control, breed improvement and infrastructure development remain key to sustaining high growth.
4. Policy focus remains on increasing productivity, improving farmer incomes, and expanding value-added dairy products.

NECESSARY STATIC PART

1. World Milk Day established by FAO in 2001.
2. NDDB is headquartered in Anand, Gujarat.
3. Operation Flood is known as the White Revolution.
4. FMD and Brucellosis are major livestock diseases targeted for eradication.
5. Kisan Credit Card (KCC) was originally launched in 1998 for farmers, later extended to dairy farmers in 2019.

Updated – 31 May 2025 ; 08:28 PM | PIB | News Source: PIB (https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?id=154532&NoteId=154532&ModuleId=3)