Milk plays a vital role in India’s nutrition, offering high-quality protein and essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Seen as a near-complete food, it supports growth and health across all ages. India remains the world’s largest milk producer, contributing nearly one-fourth of global output. Over the last decade, the dairy sector has grown by nearly 70%, contributes about 5% to the national economy, and provides direct income to over 8 crore farmers—many of whom are women.
National Milk Day is celebrated on 26 November to honour Dr. Verghese Kurien, the Father of the White Revolution, and to recognise the farmers who keep India’s dairy sector strong, inclusive, and nutrition-secure.
India’s Dairy Journey: From Shortage to Global Leader
In the 1950s and 60s, India faced milk shortages despite having a huge cattle population. Milk production grew very slowly. The turning point came with the Anand Cooperative Model, led by Sardar Patel, Tribhuvandas Patel, and later Dr. Kurien.
To scale this success, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) was formed in 1965. In 1970, NDDB launched Operation Flood, which revolutionised India’s dairy sector by connecting milk-rich rural areas with major cities. As a result, India transformed from a milk-deficient nation to the world’s top producer.
A Decade of Progress
- Milk production increased from 146 million tonnes (2014-15) to 239 million tonnes (2023–24)—a 63% rise.
- Per-capita milk availability grew from 124 g/day to 471 g/day.
- India has 303 million bovines, with productivity growth outpacing global averages.
- Indigenous cattle breeds rose in productivity due to focused breeding and health programmes.
Initiatives like the Rashtriya Gokul Mission and Livestock Health & Disease Control Programme have boosted genetic improvement, better animal health, and disease control.
Rashtriya Gokul Mission: Stronger Breeds, Higher Yields
Revised in 2025 with an outlay of ₹3,400 crore, this mission focuses on:
- Strengthening semen stations
- Expanding Artificial Insemination (AI)
- Promoting sex-sorted semen
- Setting up breed multiplication farms
Achievements so far:
- 92 million animals benefited
- 565 lakh AI procedures in 2024–25
- 22 IVF labs, 1 crore+ sex-sorted semen doses
- 38,736 MAITRIs trained to provide doorstep AI services
National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD)
Launched to strengthen procurement, chilling, processing, and marketing:
- 31,908 dairy cooperatives organised or revived
- 17.6 lakh farmers added
- 6,000+ BMCs installed
- 61,677 village testing labs created
- Major new plants commissioned in Mehsana, Indore, Bhilwara, and Karimnagar
Women remain the backbone, forming 70% of the dairy workforce and leading thousands of women-owned cooperatives.
GST Reforms: Big Relief to Dairy Sector
The 56th GST Council (Sept 2025) lowered GST rates on several dairy products:
- UHT milk, packaged paneer → 0% GST
- Butter, ghee, cheese, spreads, beverages → 5% (from 12%)
- Ice cream → 5% (from 18%)
- Milk cans → 5% (from 12%)
This reduces consumer prices, supports farmers, limits adulteration, and boosts competitiveness.
White Revolution 2.0
Launched in 2024, this programme aims to:
- Create 75,000 new dairy cooperatives
- Strengthen 46,422 existing societies
- Increase cooperative procurement to 1,007 lakh kg/day by 2029
- Promote sustainable practices through multi-state cooperatives for cattle feed, bio-fertilisers, and carcass management
New Growth: Sabar Dairy Plant, Rohtak
In October 2025, a major new plant was inaugurated in Rohtak, Haryana:
- Cost: ₹350 crore
- Capacity:
- 150 MT/day curd
- 3 lakh litres/day buttermilk
- 10 MT/day yoghurt
- 10,000 kg sweets/day
This plant will support producers across North India and meet Delhi-NCR’s growing demand.
Read More: India’s Buffalo-Milk Mozzarella Exports Are Booming
Future Outlook
- India expected to contribute 32% of global milk supply in 2025–26
- National milk output projected at 242 million tonnes (2026)
- Processing capacity to rise to 100 million litres/day by 2029
- Major focus on AI, sexed semen, genetic improvement, and disease eradication (FMD & Brucellosis by 2030)
Recognising Excellence: Gopal Ratna Awards 2025
Presented on National Milk Day, these awards honour:
- Best dairy farmers
- Best cooperatives/MPOs
- Best AI technicians
Prizes up to ₹5 lakh encourage innovation and commitment in dairying.
Conclusion
National Milk Day celebrates India’s journey from scarcity to becoming the world’s dairy powerhouse. Strong cooperatives, scientific breeding, empowered rural women, supportive policies, and continuous innovation have built a resilient and inclusive dairy ecosystem. As India marches forward, its dairy sector remains a foundation of nutrition, rural livelihoods, and national development.
Join Our “Dairy & Food Jobs Updates” WhatsApp group
Disclaimer
I do my best to share reliable and well-researched market insights but occasional errors or omissions may slip through. Please view all content as informational, advice.
Stay informed on all the latest news updates
All Agriculture Books Free Download
All Dairy Technology Books Free Download
All Agricultural Engineering Books Free download
All Horticulture Books Free Download
All Fisheries Science Books Free Download
For Daily Update follow us at:
Facebook Telegram Whatsapp Instagram YouTube
The contents are provided free for noncommercial purpose such as teaching, training, research, extension and self learning.
If you are facing any Problem than fill form Contact Us
If you want share any article related Agriculture with us than send at info@agrimoon.com with your contact detail.
