NEW DELHI: India has emerged as the world’s largest milk producer, contributing 25% of global milk production, according to Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, S P Singh Baghel.
Addressing Parliament, Baghel revealed that India’s milk production has surged by 63.56% over the past decade, rising from 146.3 million tonnes in 2014-15 to 239.2 million tonnes today. This growth translates to an impressive annual rate of 5.7%, far surpassing the global average of 2%.
The National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) has played a key role in this success, focusing on upgrading infrastructure for milk testing, storage, and processing. The initiative supports self-help groups and farmers’ producer organisations by enhancing primary chilling facilities and ensuring efficient milk collection.
To further strengthen the dairy sector, the programme also invests in improving dairy processing and marketing infrastructure, ensuring that milk producer-owned institutions can scale up operations effectively.
A crucial factor in India’s dominance in the dairy industry is its robust livestock health and disease control strategy. Government-backed initiatives provide prophylactic vaccinations, disease surveillance, and veterinary capacity-building, reducing disease outbreaks and boosting productivity.
With strong policies and continued investment, India is set to maintain its leadership in global milk production, ensuring food security and economic growth for millions of farmers.
