March 15, 2013

India to see rising milk demand due to higher income levels

Higher income levels may cause India's milk demand to rise to 200-210 million tonnes by 2020-21, said National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) Chairman, Amrita Patel, who calls for collective efforts and increased milk productivity.

While delivering the keynote address at the 41st Dairy Industry Conference, with the theme "Global Dairy Industry and Food Security", in Mumbai, she said that the first obligation of dairy industry is to continue the expansion of the domestic market and seek innovative methods with the central and state governments in ensuring that an increasing proportion of children consume milk, according to an NDDB release.

Dr Patel pointed out that India's milk production has been growing at over 4% annually compared to the growth in world milk production which is 2.75%. Per capita availability of milk has also increased to 290 grams daily, which is comparable with world per capita availability of 289 grams per day.

Stressing upon a scientific approach, she added that a comprehensive web-based National Information Network, covering all aspects of productivity enhancement i.e., breeding, feeding and healthcare, has been developed at NDDB and is available to any organization, producer, service provider and policy makers.

The NDDB is also setting up a national HRD facility to offer need-based technical, managerial and leadership training programmes, distance education and the facilitation of training instructors.

Expressing concern, Dr Patel said that a continuous increase in milk price will, at some stage, erode the ability of families with low incomes to purchase milk, leading to reduced consumption.

While some thinks that cheaper imports should be favoured for consumers, large imports may create social unrest in India's rural areas, with the livelihoods of millions in jeopardy, cautioned Dr Patel.

The dairy industry must ensure that prices remained affordable and competitive, she added.