India Leads The World In Milk Production From All Categories Of Cattle

According to the report of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, India tops the world in milk production of all types of cattle. India is contributing 24 percent to the world's total milk production.

Milk production increased by about 57% in a decade:

• In the last nine years, milk production in the country has increased by more than 57 percent.
• The result of this is that per capita availability of milk has increased to 459 grams per day in 2022-23. Nine years ago it was only 303 grams per person per day. With the increase in the availability of milk, the eating habits of Indians have also started changing.

How was this achievement achieved?

• During the last decade, milk production and productivity have increased the most since independence.
• This is mainly the result of efforts being made for almost a decade for the promotion of indigenous cows.
• With the rapid increase in milk consumption, India has left the world's average consumption far behind.

Average milk consumption in the world

• A rapid increase is being seen in the consumption of milk and its other products. At present, every person in India has started drinking 65 grams more milk than the average consumption of milk in the world.
• The average consumption of milk in the world is currently only 394 grams per person. The path to such prosperity in milk has been opened due to the Rashtriya Gokul Mission.
• Rashtriya Gokul Mission Scheme was started in December 2014. Its objective was to develop and conserve indigenous cattle breeds scientifically.
• Apart from the traditional breeding methods of cows and buffaloes in the states, many modern facilities have been made available to the farmers. mainly under: 
  • Providing Artificial Insemination Services
  • IVF Technology
  • Gender Sorted Semen
• Through the above, special attention was paid to bringing quality in the breeding of native breeds.

Less increase in milk production than previous cross breeding:

• Earlier, emphasis was given on cross-breeding to increase milk production in the country. This also led to growth but the pace was very slow.
• The figures from the years 2006-7 to 2013-14 are an example of this when the availability of milk in the country increased by only 20 percent, whereas in the last nine years, it has increased by more than 57 percent.

Increase in attachment towards cows in the country:

• The success of the new scheme also shows that the love for cows is increasing in India. Because the contribution of cows to the total milk production of the country is the highest, about 51 percent. Whereas the contribution of buffalo is 47 percent.

Growth in India three times more than the world average:

• Milk production in India is increasing at the rate of more than 5.9 percent every year. Whereas the average growth rate of milk in the world is only two percent per year. This is almost three times faster growth than the world average.
• The demand for Indian milk has started increasing in foreign countries also. Indian dairy products are in demand in about 150 countries. In the year 2022-23, 65 lakh tonnes of dairy products were exported.
• During the year 2013-14, 1463 lakh tonnes of milk was produced in the country. It has increased to 2306.0 lakh tonnes in 2022-23. This is the highest increase in milk production since independence.

Dairy sector contributes 5% to the country's economy:

• Union Minister of State for Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Sanjeev Balyan says that the dairy sector contributes five percent to the country's economy. It is also a means of employment for about eight crore people.
• The central government is striving to meet the increasing demand for milk and make dairy more profitable. The result of the new scheme is the increase in the number of animals of native breeds and the availability of milk.