The Government of India has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the dairy and livestock sectors through sustained investments in milk processing infrastructure, livestock development, fodder availability and market access, while responding to questions in the Lok Sabha today.

Addressing concerns regarding remunerative prices for milk, the Government informed the House that no reports have been received by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying indicating that farmers are unable to secure fair prices due to inadequate milk processing or cold chain facilities. Milk procurement prices continue to be determined by dairy cooperatives and private dairies based on prevailing market conditions.

To strengthen dairy infrastructure across the country, the Department is implementing two major schemes:

• National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD)

• Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF)

Under the NPDD, Bhind and Datia districts of Madhya Pradesh have been included for strengthening milk procurement infrastructure. The Government has approved:

• Installation of one 3,000-litre Bulk Milk Cooler in Bhind district.

• Milk collection infrastructure at 34 Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCSs) in Bhind and 14 DCSs in Datia.

The Government also informed that no project proposals have been received from these districts under the AHIDF scheme.

To address the rising cost of animal feed and fodder, the Government highlighted the ongoing implementation of the National Livestock Mission (NLM). Under the Mission:

• 1.62 lakh tonnes of fodder seeds have been produced.

• 204 feed and fodder enterprise units have been approved.

• 100 fodder-centric Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) have been established across 19 States to strengthen local supply chains and reduce input costs for livestock farmers.

On the supply of milk in the National Capital, the Government stated that, according to the Study on Demand of Milk and Milk Products in India conducted under the National Dairy Plan Phase-I, Delhi's milk demand was estimated at 111 lakh litres per day (LLPD) in 2019 and is projected to reach 173.5 LLPD by 2030.

Delhi's milk demand is currently met through supplies from Mother Dairy, GCMMF (Amul), Delhi Milk Scheme (DMS), COMFED, Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) and private dairies, all operating in compliance with food safety standards prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The Government stated that no additional measures are presently required, as the existing supply arrangements adequately meet demand.

Responding to another question on a proposed National Livestock Development Framework, the Government clarified that Animal Husbandry is a State subject under the Constitution and that there is no proposal to enact a comprehensive national legislation on livestock development.

However, the Government emphasized that it continues to support States and Union Territories through flagship initiatives including the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), National Livestock Mission (NLM), Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP), National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) and the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF).

The Government highlighted the sector's strong performance over the past decade:

• Milk production has increased from 146.31 million tonnes in 2014-15 to 248.87 million tonnes in 2024-25, representing a 70% increase.

• Egg production has grown from 78.48 billion to 149.11 billion during the same period, marking a 90% increase.

To further enhance exports and livestock traceability, the Department has collaborated with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to develop the Bharat Pashudhan database, based on a unique 12-digit Tag ID for livestock. The Government is also promoting investment through AHIDF and NLM while implementing the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme to create disease-free zones and improve export opportunities for Indian livestock products.

The Government reiterated its commitment to modernizing dairy infrastructure, improving livestock productivity, strengthening value chains, supporting farmers, ensuring nutritional security and enhancing the global competitiveness of India's dairy and livestock sector.

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