India’s dairy sector tops global milk production with Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative

India's dairy sector contributes 25% to global output, supported by strategic government programs under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat

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New Delhi: India continues to dominate the global dairy industry, ranking first in milk production and accounting for 25% of global output.
The country’s milk production has been growing at an annual rate of about 6% over the past nine years, with per capita availability reaching 459 grams per day, effectively meeting domestic demand.
Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh highlighted these efforts in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, underscoring the government’s commitment to strengthening the dairy sector and supporting its role in the national economy.
“To further bolster the sector, the Indian government has implemented several initiatives under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) campaign. One of the flagship programs is the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF), launched as part of the Prime Minister’s Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan stimulus package on June 24, 2020. The AHIDF, now integrated with the Dairy Processing Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF), has been extended for the next three years, with a fund size of ₹29,110.25 crore,” said the Minister.
“The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) has been proactive in implementing schemes to increase the domestic dairy industry’s share and enhance its contribution to the country’s GDP. The Rashtriya Gokul Mission focuses on developing and conserving indigenous bovine breeds, genetically upgrading the bovine population, and boosting milk production and productivity,” added Singh.
“The National Programme for Dairy Development aims to improve the quality of milk and milk products and increase the share of organized milk procurement. The Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund provides support for creating and modernizing milk processing and value-added infrastructure. Additionally, support is provided to dairy cooperatives and farmer-producer organizations in the form of interest subvention on working capital loans,” he explained.
“Furthermore, the government has extended the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) facility to animal husbandry and dairy farmers to help meet their working capital needs.”