Indian Dairy Innovations Recognized at 2025 IDF Dairy Innovation Awards

The 2025 edition of the IDF World Dairy Summit, hosted in Santiago, Chile from October 20 to 23, served as a platform for the International Dairy Federation's Dairy Innovation Awards. This year, over 130 entries showcased the sector's progress in sustainability, processing, and socio-economic inclusion. Notably, India, the world's largest milk producer, faced challenges such as rising input costs and environmental pressures, yet emerged with significant achievements.

The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) of India won in the 'Climate action in the dairy sector' category for its Carbon Credits from Biogas Plants initiative. This manure management program not only reduces methane emissions but also generates clean fuel and provides an additional revenue stream for smallholder farmers through carbon credit sales.

Another Indian innovation, Jaipur Dairy's Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) plant, was recognized in the 'Sustainable processing innovation' category. The plant recycles approximately 660,000 liters of water daily, demonstrating high water efficiency and aligning with sustainable dairy practices. It sets a precedent for other Indian processing units aiming for zero liquid discharge.

Additionally, the NITARA platform, an AI-enabled mobile solution for smallholder dairy farmers, was a finalist in the 'Socio-economic sustainability in farming' category. It offers virtual advisory services and dairy management tools, promoting precision agriculture among smallholders and addressing milk supply shortages.

These accolades highlight India's capability to develop scalable, farm-friendly solutions and demonstrate the country's shift from volume-focused production to value-driven, sustainable practices in the dairy industry.