Indian Dairy Industry-The Changing and Prospective Scenario

Dairying has an acknowledged role to play in socio-economic transformation and sustainable rural development in India. Indian dairying is the best example for production by masses rather than mass production. Milk is the second largest agricultural commodity (140 million tonnes) produced in our country next only to rice. The Indian dairy industry is rapidly growing, trying to keep pace with the galloping progress around the world and offers opportunities galore to entrepreneurs worldwide. The demand of milk in India is projected to increase to 191.3 million tonnes in 2020. At the existing growth rate in milk production, supply is likely to fall short of the demand in next ten years. Consistent efforts are needed to bring the small holders under an umbrella to ensure the milk produced is safe and meets the standards. Technological intervention at the grassroot level coupled with synergy of technological and organizational improvements at all levels of dairying would assist to improve milk quantity, quality and competitiveness of Indian dairying.