by – By Manish Bandlish
As we celebrate the 102nd birth anniversary of a visionary leader – Dr. Verghese Kurien – it will be vital to honor our legacy, the great achievements we have achieved in the Indian Dairy sector. The great “Billion-Lior Idea” laid down Dr. Kurien laid the foundation for the most extensive agricultural dairy development program in the world, which will change the trajectory of the Indian dairy industry forever. Today, India ranks high in terms of milk production, ranking #1 with a significant 23 percent contribution to global milk production.
Dr. Kurien aptly, “India’s place in the sun would come from the partnership between the wisdom of her rural people and the skill of her professionals.” These words appear as proof of the transformation we have seen. The success of the White Revolution can be attributed to the tireless efforts of millions of farmers across the nation. India’s dairy sector has risen to global standards due to its enthusiastic participation and commitment to advancement in animal husbandry, feed management and veterinary care. The joint efforts of this country’s milk producers and the dairy industry continue to live up to this legacy every day.
India’s growth script every day
India’s milk production stands at over 220 million tonnes, which has seen a 6-fold increase since the 1960s. The tailwinds of the Indian dairy industry attracted attention in the late 1990s when it surpassed developed economies in terms of milk production. Today, India’s dairy and animal husbandry sector contributes about 5 percent to the country’s GDP and the dairy sector’s contribution to the agriculture sector is 24 percent, which is worth about Rs 10 lakh crores, which making it the tallest in the world.
The new Operation Flood program, which is considered to be one of the largest rural development programs in the world, is not a dairy program. Dairying was seen as a development tool, creating employment and regular income for millions of people in the countryside. Today, more than 8 crore families are directly involved in the dairy sector. Notably, women have 70 percent representation in the workforce in India’s dairy sector. This is a testament to this sector being a great force, which cannot be represented by any other sector. India’s dairy sector has been instrumental in providing the desired economic independence to the farmers of this nation where they are able to access better civic facilities and induct more milch animals.
India is not only the largest producer of milk but also the largest consumer of milk and milk products. Because milk is intrinsically linked to our culture, it has also driven its consumption. Considered among the fastest growing markets in the world, growing at around 15 percent per annum over the past 15 years, India’s dairy industry has grown to an impressive Rs 13 trillion. Moreover, India’s dairy market is estimated to be Rs 30 trillion by 2027. Rising income and increasing preference for products like cheese, yogurt, curd, ice cream, etc. along with the shift towards products with an emphasis on convenience, hygiene, health. and wellness will provide the sector with the boost it needs.
Beyond its significant economic contribution, the dairy sector emerges as a vital player in addressing nutritional challenges. Although milk is considered a health food, dairy stands out as the most affordable source of protein, providing a holistic and accessible solution to address widespread nutritional challenges. In addition, the dairy industry is active in strengthening efforts, particularly in improving the nutritional content of widely consumed products such as milk and curd. The added inclusion of probiotics also provides an additional way to provide consumers with an easy alternative to dietary supplements. Over the years, the industry has seen various initiatives aimed at improving nutrition within the dairy sector.
Efforts are also underway to promote programs that help the sector reach out to the masses. One notable example is the Gift Milk initiative of the NDDB Nutrition Foundation (NFN), which is committed to ending malnutrition in school children by providing them with safe milk and milk products.
In addition, the sector is at the forefront of encouraging environmentally friendly initiatives throughout the entire value chain. From adopting renewable energy at village level collection centers to including rainwater harvesting pits and water recycling centers at manufacturing levels, the sector is facilitating prudent use of available resources. The Indian dairy sector continues to explore various options at all levels including logistics and procurement, which help in the journey of sustainability. The need of the hour is to connect the consumers with the mission of sustainability, and this can be achieved by raising awareness and emphasizing the importance of sustainable consumption and practices. By promoting responsible choices such as milk as symbols, safe waste disposal, recycling, minimizing food waste and supporting sustainability initiatives, visible results can be achieved. As seen in other segments of the industry, dairy organizations should strive to be plastic waste neutral.
Opportunities and potential to move forward
India’s dairy sector is poised for continued growth, with opportunities to expand its potential by addressing certain key aspects. The buzzword of today’s generation – entrepreneur – was brought to our country long before its time. The Operation Flood initiative ensured that the powers were in the hands of farmers, forcing them to determine their own business policies, adopt modern production and marketing techniques and receive services that they cannot afford or manage on their own. .
Under the umbrella of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Dr. Kurien’s old initiatives and visionary leadership along with the crucial support of the Government of India through tax incentives, input subsidies, and infrastructural provisions like cold chains and electrification helped. a transformative journey for the Indian dairy sector, fostering self-sustainability and economic growth.
Consumption of milk and milk products is not limited to urban consumers. Rural India is the largest consumer but mostly based on consumption or neighborhood. With increasing demand for packaged and pasteurized milk, the rural sector can be transformed into a major market. Moreover, the versatility of milk and its wide range of products, from traditional dairy products to innovative dairy-based food and beverage options, as well as the growing openness of Indian consumers to try and explore more, show the untapped potential. benefit to the industry. . Additional investments in developing cold chain infrastructure in urban and suburban markets will also help to expand coverage.
In remote areas, the potential for growth lies in increased facilities for veterinary treatment, ensuring that the cattle population is in line with the availability of veterinary hospitals. This expansion would not only address the current gap but would also ensure improved animal health care and have a positive impact on milk production. Maximizing the potential of diversified supply requires optimizing supply chain operations. The perishable nature of the sector requires intensive efforts to preserve freshness and safety, and by streamlining these processes, we can ensure that dairy products are transported efficiently and timely from farms to consumers.
In addition, investing in intensive education and training programs on good dairy practices will be a gateway to success. Empowering farmers with knowledge and skills is not only an opportunity but a catalyst to produce safe and high quality dairy products.
As we move forward, the journey we have achieved so far as an industry is remarkable, driven by a collective commitment to continuous improvement and innovation. In this journey, farmers stand as the backbone, and their central role in shaping the fortunes of India’s dairy sector cannot be overstated. The future should also be hopeful, where the adoption of modern technologies will pave the way for a White Revolution 2.0, fostering efficiency, productivity and sustainability to usher in a new era of progress and prosperity.
India’s dairy sector has the potential to further consolidate its leadership position, ensure long-term profitability, and contribute to the country’s economic development and meet the changing demands of the global market, or in other words, become the world’s dairy.
As Dr. Kurien, “I am in the business of empowerment. Milk is just a tool for that.” Let milk be the same tool of change for generations to come. On this National Milk Day, let us come together as an industry, share best practices, knowledge, experiences and embrace innovative techniques and latest technologies. We will initiate dialogue and discussion, encourage sustainability, promote research and innovation, and promise to usher in a new chapter in the significant transformation of the Indian dairy industry.
(Manish Bandlish is the Managing Director at Mother Dairy.)
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are personal and do not reflect the official position or policy of Financial Express Online. Reproduction of this content without permission is prohibited.)
