National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)

The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), based in Anand, Gujarat, has been a cornerstone in transforming the Indian dairy sector. Established with the purpose of boosting dairy production and consumption, NDDB has played a crucial role in positioning India as the world’s largest milk producer.

Significant Events

One of the board's most significant achievements is the launch of 'Operation Flood' in 1970. This project successfully linked rural milk producers with urban consumers through a national milk grid, greatly contributing to India's rise as a leading global milk producer. In 2025, NDDB hosted the First Indian Cheese Festival at its headquarters in Anand, highlighting its commitment to innovation and leadership in the dairy industry.

Company Plans and Initiatives

Looking to the future, NDDB is prioritizing sustainable growth and the improvement of dairy farmers' livelihoods. One of the board's strategic goals is to leverage artificial intelligence to enhance livestock quality and increase 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.

NDDB is also planning to increase its milk collection capacity and set up 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 potential intervention from the central government to facilitate Nandini's market entry.

Among its significant projects is the development of 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. The board also manages a refurbished facility in Leh and partners with the Ladakh UT Dairy Cooperative Federation.

Ownership and Leadership

NDDB owns Mother Dairy, a significant player in the Indian dairy market. Currently undergoing a leadership transition, the organization is 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, providing 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, initiatives such as the National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM) with the 'Pashu Aadhaar' system, Automatic Milk Collection System (AMCS), and Dairy ERP platform (NDERP) have been launched. Partnering with ICAR, NDDB aims to improve dairy productivity by addressing challenges like stagnant productivity levels, rising feed costs, and climate variability. The board is also focused on increasing milk production in eastern India, targeting infrastructure development and milk procurement in states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, Manipur, and Tripura.

Environmental and Regional Projects

NDDB's collaboration with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) addresses environmental challenges posed by dairy waste and aims to improve the Yamuna's water quality. Moreover, the Himachal Pradesh government has finalized an agreement with NDDB to advance the state's dairy industry. This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in Shimla, focuses on enhancing milk processing capabilities and 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.

Modified: 2026/04/10