Regular Update
ATM News Network: Milk production in India is increasing by six percent every year, and India will have to find a milk market abroad, said Ramesh Chand, a member of Niti Aayog. He was speaking at the 49th Dairy Industry Conference and Exhibition organized by the Indian Dairy Association (IDA).
Ramesh Chand said that India once produced less milk than America. Today, India produces more than twice the amount of milk produced in America. The growth rate of India's milk production in the 1960s was about 1 percent; today it is six percent.
In 1950-51, per capita milk consumption in India was only 124 grams per day. By 1970, this figure had dropped to 107 grams per day. From a low of 107 grams per capita in 1970, it has increased to 427 grams per capita in 2020-21. The global average was 322 grams per day in 2021.
India produces 220 million tons of milk every year, and the per capita consumption of milk in the country has increased, he said.
Therefore, it is very important to find a market for milk produced in the country. India should establish a supply chain abroad.
Chand said India's milk and livestock sector accounts for half of the total agricultural growth every year.
"The growth of the agriculture sector is 3.2 percent, of which half is in the dairy and livestock sector," he said.
In listing the challenges facing the dairy industry, Chand cited milk productivity per animal, breed improvement and the use of chemicals in dairy farming as challenges facing the dairy industry.
Union Livestock and Dairy Minister Parashottam Rupala said India needs to focus on improving breeds and increasing animal productivity to become a world leader in dairy farming.
He said, 'Our government aims to make India the world's leading dairy nation. IDA president RS Sodhi said milk production in Gujarat has increased ninefold since 1996 to date. Gujarat last hosted a dairy industry conference in Anand in 1996. The progress the dairy industry has made since then is unprecedented. At that time, India's milk production was only 71 million tons, but today it has risen to 222 million tons. Indian milk production has tripled, but in Gujarat it has increased ninefold from 30 liters to 270 liters per day,' he said.
National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) Chairman Meenesh Shah said they have prepared a plan for dairy development till 2047.
"We have a plan for Vision 2047 and it is time for all of us to work together effectively to achieve this goal. By 2047, we aim to quadruple cattle productivity, increase India's dairy exports to 15 percent of the world's dairy exports, and develop sustainable, environmentally friendly practices to achieve the COP26 goals. I invite you all too, for actively participating in this transformation,' Shah said.
The three-day conference, which is being held in Gujarat after 27 years, has brought together dairy experts and professionals from India and abroad, dairy cooperatives, milk producers, government officials, scientists, policy makers and planners, academicians and other stakeholders.
The theme of the conference is 'India Dairy to the World: Opportunities and Challenges'.
:) Update yourself with the latest agri business news in English and Marathi with Agri Trade Media. Subscribe Agri Trade Media on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for more agri B2B news.
