National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)
The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), headquartered in Anand, Gujarat, has been instrumental in transforming the Indian dairy industry. Through strategic initiatives such as 'Operation Flood' launched in 1970, NDDB established a national milk grid connecting rural producers with urban consumers, thereby reshaping the Indian dairy landscape. Today, India stands as the largest milk producer globally, thanks in large part to NDDB's efforts.
Significant Events
One of NDDB's notable achievements was the launch of 'Operation Flood' in 1970, which played a crucial role in connecting rural milk producers to urban markets. Another significant event was the First Indian Cheese Festival hosted at NDDB's Anand headquarters in 2025, showcasing its leadership and innovation in the dairy sector.
Company Plans
Looking ahead, NDDB is focusing on sustainable growth and improving the livelihoods of dairy farmers. The board plans to leverage artificial intelligence to enhance livestock quality and boost feed and fodder production. Key projects include expanding cow dung biogas generation across 250 district dairy cooperatives and establishing 10 automated milk processing plants in 18 districts. Additionally, NDDB aims to increase milk collection capacity and set up 100 testing laboratories in collaboration with the Rajasthan Co-operative Dairy Federation.
NDDB is also mediating a market conflict between Milma and Nandini milk brands, potentially involving central government intervention to facilitate Nandini's market entry. A significant initiative is the development of a solar-powered dairy processing plant in Kargil, designed to supply fresh milk to the Indian Army, involving 1,500 farmers and processing 10,000 litres of milk per day. NDDB manages a refurbished facility in Leh and collaborates with the Ladakh UT Dairy Cooperative Federation.
Ownership and Leadership
NDDB owns Mother Dairy, a major entity in the Indian dairy market, which is currently undergoing a leadership change that could have strategic implications for the industry. Shri Meenesh Shah, Chairman of NDDB, has been pivotal in driving these developments, advocating for innovation and data-driven planning.
Sustainability and Technological Initiatives
NDDB is leading efforts to integrate biogas production into rural dairy cooperatives, offering economic and environmental benefits. It supports biogas infrastructure 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.
In terms of digital transformation, NDDB has launched initiatives such as the National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM) with the 'Pashu Aadhaar' system, Automatic Milk Collection System (AMCS), and Dairy ERP platform (NDERP). Working with ICAR, NDDB aims to enhance dairy productivity, addressing challenges like stagnant productivity, rising feed costs, and climate variability. The board is actively focused on boosting milk production in eastern India, targeting infrastructure development and milk procurement in states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, Manipur, and Tripura.
Modified: 2026/02/28