Perspectives in milk production in India

Abstract

India is the largest milk producer contributing 25 % to the global production. From a mere 17 million tons (MTs) in 1951, milk production increased to an inconceivable 230 MTs in 2023. Nondescript cows and buffaloes were the main milk animals. Since 1965, nationwide programs for cross breeding native cattle with exotic milk breeds such as Jersey, Holstein Friesian (HF) and Brown Swiss (BS) and upgradation of buffalo breeds along with disease eradication, feed and fodder development and provision of veterinary and extension services were implemented. Now 75 % of the milk in India is produced by the native, exotic and crossbred cows (43 %) and native breeds of buffaloes (32 %). National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) created dairy cooperatives, an Indian innovation to connect rural milk producers to urban and semi-urban consumers. These cooperatives transformed subsistence dairy farming into a profitable rural enterprise and created millions of jobs. Due to the success of the above activities, since 1998 India continues to produce the highest volumes of milk in the world.

It is envisioned to increase (i) milk production to 450 million tons (MTs) (one-third of the global production) (ii) gain a share of 15 % in global milk and milk products exports and (iii) build sustainable green practices to match global standards during the next 25 years.

India is increasingly deploying artificial insemination (AI) with sex sorted-frozen semen, embryo transfer and in vitro production of embryos using sex sorted semen, progeny testing and genomic selection to improve reproduction and productivity among dairy animals. Mitigation of disease burden is undertaken through nationwide vaccination against diseases such as Foot and Mouth, TB, Brucellosis etc. Nutritious fodder crops and feed additives that support higher productivity and reduce enteric methane emissions are promoted. Management and interventional practices such as better nutrition, amelioration of summer stress, oestrus synchronisation etc., are increasingly implemented. Use of internet enabled technology services (IETS) for extension activities, mobile veterinary and animal husbandry services are rapidly becoming commonplace. All these practices portend greater achievements in milk production in the fore-seeable future. Achievements, aspirations, accosts, approaches and appraisal are presented.