September 14, 2022

 

India's dairy industry biggest in the world thanks to small producers

 

 

India's Prime Minister Narenda Modi said India's dairy sector is the biggest in the world thanks to small producers, with its unique model a possible example for many other nations, Hindustan Times reported.

 

The prime minister, who was speaking at the International Dairy Federation's World Dairy Summit in Greater Noida, India, said the success of the dairy sector was thanks to quick digital payments made directly to farmers' accounts, a cooperative business structure, and a business that is primarily run by women.

 

He said cattle wealth and the milk business have been an integral part of India's history for over 1000 years. The strengths of India's dairy industry stem from its distinctive qualities, adding that it is distinctive with small farmers the catalyst for its growth.

 

Through a cooperative, the farmers are linked to the market.

 

India's dairy industry is the largest of its kind in the world, with nearly 190000 cooperatives obtaining daily milk supplies from farmers. Amul, a well-known dairy and chocolate company, is a producer based in a cooperative.

 

According to Modi, India's milk production has increased by 44%, from 146 million tonnes in 2014 to 210 million tonnes at the moment. He also noted that the growth rate, at 6%, was higher than the global average of 2%.

 

Prior to the 1970s, the majority of dairy farmers were indigent, receiving no pay, and dealing with a supply chain replete with middlemen. This changed after the implementation of V Kurien's so-called Operation Flood, also known as the milkman of India, which made the nation's milk production self-sufficient. India then adopted a three-tier cooperative model.

 

According to Modi, India has started a project called Pashu Aadhaar to give cattle unique biometric identities for better management and animal husbandry practises. The country has also recently developed an indigenous vaccine for lumpy skin disease, an epidemic that has engulfed many states.

 

He said India's dairy industry's cooperative system is its second distinguishing feature. There exists a sizable cooperative network with a rare example elsewhere. According to Modi, nearly 20 million farmers milk their cattle twice daily in nearly 200,000 villages, and their produce is sold directly to consumers.

 

Another distinguishing feature is the country's cattle. Cattle from the area are well known for adjusting to tropical climates. In 2019, there were 140 million indigenous cattle, down from 150 million in 2012, according to a report released last month by the ministry of animal husbandry.

 

He said women power is the fourth strength, which is one that is frequently undervalued. The engine is Nari Shakti. According to Modi, women make up 70% of the dairy workforce, adding that women made up more than one-third of milk cooperative members.

 

The prime minister also discussed biogas initiatives and the use of cow dung manures in organic farming.

 

-      Hindustan Times