According to the Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, India’s milk production witnessed a notable rise of 4% in 2023-24, reaching 239.30 million tons. This is an increase from the previous year’s milk output of 230.58 million tons in 2022-23, further solidifying India’s position as the world’s largest milk producer. Several factors, particularly the improvement in productivity across the dairy sector, are responsible for the production growth.
Minister Singh announced this at an event celebrating National Milk Day. Every year, we observe National Milk Day on November 26 to honor Verghese Kurien, the visionary behind India’s White Revolution that transformed the country into a global dairy powerhouse. National Milk Day serves as a reminder of Kurien’s contribution to the dairy industry, which has played a pivotal role in shaping India’s agricultural landscape.
In addition to the increase in total milk production, India‘s per capita milk availability has also grown. Per capita availability has risen from 459 grams per day in 2022–23 to 471 grams per day in 2023–24. This steady increase in both production and availability is a positive indicator of the country’s growing dairy industry, which has consistently outpaced the global average. While the global milk production growth rate is around 2%, India has achieved an impressive average growth rate of 6% over the past few years.
The minister highlighted the importance of integrating dairy farmers into the organized sector as a means of further boosting milk production and increasing the income of dairy farmers. He noted that bringing farmers into organized supply chains would help eliminate intermediaries, ensuring fairer prices for both producers and consumers. Organizing the dairy sector could also help address several challenges, including inefficiencies and price volatility.
On the occasion, Singh also stressed the need for increased dairy exports, with the government aiming to expand India’s presence in the global dairy market. India’s milk production surplus provides a strong base for such efforts, but the minister urged farmers to adopt advanced practices such as artificial insemination and sex-sorted semen to further enhance productivity and genetic quality. These technologies can lead to higher-yielding cows and more efficient milk production, helping meet domestic demand as well as facilitating exports.
Furthermore, the minister called on dairy farmers to vaccinate their livestock as part of a nationwide health initiative. The government is providing free vaccinations to farmers to eradicate diseases like foot and mouth disease and brucellosis by 2030. The successful eradication of these diseases would not only protect livestock but also help India strengthen its dairy export potential by improving the health of animals and ensuring that products meet international standards.
Breed improvement also remains a focal point of the government’s strategy to improve milk production. Singh noted that ongoing efforts to enhance livestock genetics will lead to better-quality dairy animals, which will contribute to long-term sustainability and growth in milk production.
India’s dairy sector continues to show impressive growth, driven by advancements in productivity, organized sector reforms, disease control measures, and the adoption of new technologies. With these efforts, India is poised to not only meet its domestic needs but also expand its footprint in the global dairy market.
