National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)

The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) is based in Anand, Gujarat. It has significantly contributed to transforming the Indian dairy industry, establishing itself as a cornerstone in the sector. NDDB's initiatives have played a crucial role in making India the world's largest milk producer.

Significant Events

One of NDDB's landmark achievements was the launch of 'Operation Flood' in 1970. This project linked rural milk producers with urban consumers through a national milk grid, significantly enhancing India's position in the global milk production arena. In 2025, NDDB hosted the First Indian Cheese Festival at its Anand headquarters, showcasing its dedication to innovation within the dairy industry.

Company Plans and Initiatives

NDDB is focused on sustainable growth and improving the livelihoods of dairy farmers. Strategic goals include leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance livestock quality and boost feed and fodder production. Key projects involve expanding cow dung biogas generation across 250 district dairy cooperatives and setting up 10 automated milk processing plants in 18 districts.

The board plans to increase milk collection capacity and establish 100 testing laboratories in collaboration with the Rajasthan Co-operative Dairy Federation. A notable initiative involves mediating a market conflict between Milma and Nandini milk brands, with possible central government intervention to aid Nandini's market entry. Additionally, NDDB is developing a solar-powered dairy processing plant in Kargil, intended to supply fresh milk to the Indian Army, involving 1,500 farmers and processing 10,000 liters of milk daily.

Ownership and Leadership

NDDB owns Mother Dairy, a key player in the Indian dairy market. Undergoing a leadership transition, the organization is currently led by Shri Meenesh Shah, who emphasizes innovation and data-driven planning.

Sustainability and Technological Initiatives

NDDB is integrating biogas production into rural dairy cooperatives, offering economic and environmental benefits. It supports biogas infrastructure development, from small household digesters to large Bio-CNG plants under the SATAT programme. In collaboration with Suzuki Motor Corporation and Sumul Dairy, NDDB is developing a biogas plant to convert cattle dung into biofuel.

Digital transformation initiatives include the National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM) with the 'Pashu Aadhaar' system, Automatic Milk Collection System (AMCS), and Dairy ERP platform (NDERP). Partnering with ICAR, NDDB aims to improve dairy productivity by tackling challenges such as stagnant productivity levels, rising feed costs, and climate variability. The board focuses on increasing milk production in eastern India by developing infrastructure and milk procurement in states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, Manipur, and Tripura.

Environmental and Regional Projects

NDDB collaborates with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to address environmental challenges posed by dairy waste and improve the Yamuna's water quality. Furthermore, the Himachal Pradesh government has signed an MoU with NDDB to enhance the state's dairy processing capabilities, creating employment opportunities for local farmers.

According to NDDB, only 20% of milk reaches the organized sector, with 34% going to the unorganized sector and 46% consumed locally. The Amul Gausort Sexed Semen Laboratory, developed in collaboration with NDDB, starts with an initial capacity of 1 lakh sex-sorted doses annually, with potential scalability to 5 lakh doses. NDDB is also engaged in a green fodder mapping project in Bihar, in partnership with the Bihar State Milk Cooperative Federation and ISRO, to launch a comprehensive green fodder mapping initiative.

NDDB collaborates with SAIL to renew a school milk programme in India, providing expertise in dairy development and nutritional planning aimed at combating child malnutrition and supporting the dairy industry's growth.

Modified: 2026/04/24