March 17, 2023

Indian dairy industry leaders emphasize need for breed improvement and increased productivity

Parshottam Rupala, India's Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairy, said India must concentrate on improving breeds and raising cattle productivity to become the world's leading producer of dairy products, FoodTechBiz reported.

He was speaking at the 49th Dairy Industry Conference and Expo of the Indian Dairy Association (IDA) in Gandhinagar.

The Union Minister said that the Indian dairy industry has witnessed significant growth and has the potential to ensure milk and dairy security globally. He emphasised the need to prioritise breed improvement as the current average milk production of 2.5 to 3 litres per cattle has already made India the world's largest milk producer.

The minister further highlighted the possibilities that could be achieved if productivity is increased to 10 litres per cattle, calling for a mission-oriented approach to breed improvement in order to take India's dairy industry to new heights.

Due to the rise in demand for dairy products fuelled by a growing population, increased purchasing power, and a greater focus on nutrition, milk production in India amounted to 222 million tonnes in 2021-22 and is anticipated to reach 628 million tonnes by 2047. The Indian dairy industry is currently valued at INR 13 trillion and is projected to increase twofold to over INR 30 trillion by 2027.

-      FoodTechBiz