September 28, 2004

India Targets 130 Million Tons Milk Production By 2015

India, the world's largest milk producer, plans to increase its output to 130 million tons by 2015 by modernising and strengthening dairy institutions.

"The essence of the challenge we face is to make certain that our dairy industry continues to keep its purpose constant of contributing significantly to the incomes and quality of the lives of tens of millions," said Amrita Patel, chairman of the National Dairy Development Board.

"India's milk production is expected to hit 130 million tons by 2015," said Patel.

With the largest stock of cattle and buffaloes, India's milk production has been witnessing around four percent annual growth. The cuurent volume is around 88 million tons.

According to Patel, in order to achieve the target for higher production, there is "a genuine need to modernise the dairy industry. And this move requires linking producers directly with markets through professionally managed institutions."

"Given the fact that cooperatives today reach out to only about 18 percent of the villages in our country, we need to explore alternative institutional structures as that is the only way we can provide livelihoods to many more milk producers," said Patel.

She stressed the need for the dairy industry to compete and cooperate to ensure quality of milk and milk products.