National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)
The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), headquartered in Anand, Gujarat, has been a transformative force in the Indian dairy industry. Established with the mission to revolutionize the dairy sector, NDDB has been instrumental in making India the world's largest milk producer.
Significant Events
One of the most significant milestones in NDDB's history was the implementation of 'Operation Flood' in 1970. This project established a national milk grid, connecting rural milk producers with urban consumers and reshaping the landscape of the Indian dairy industry. More recently, NDDB hosted the First Indian Cheese Festival in 2025 at its Anand headquarters, further underscoring its leadership in the sector.
Company Plans
Looking forward, NDDB aims to sustainably increase milk production and enhance the livelihoods of dairy farmers. The organization plans to integrate artificial intelligence to improve livestock quality and boost feed and fodder production. Key projects include the expansion of cow dung biogas generation models across 250 district dairy cooperatives and the establishment of 10 automated milk processing plants across 18 districts. NDDB also plans to enhance milk collection capacity and set up 100 testing laboratories in collaboration with the Rajasthan Co-operative Dairy Federation.
In addition, NDDB is mediating a market conflict between Kerala's Milma and Karnataka's Nandini milk brands, potentially involving central government intervention to facilitate Nandini’s market entry. A noteworthy initiative is the establishment of a solar-powered dairy processing plant in Kargil to meet the Indian Army's demand for fresh milk, 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
Mother Dairy, another significant entity in the Indian dairy market, is owned by NDDB. The organization is currently undergoing a leadership change in Mother Dairy, a move with strategic implications for the dairy industry. Shri Meenesh Shah, Chairman of NDDB, has been a key figure in steering these developments, advocating for innovation and data-driven planning.
Sustainability and Technological Initiatives
NDDB leads efforts in integrating biogas production into rural dairy cooperatives, providing both economic and environmental benefits. The organization supports biogas infrastructure on various scales, from small household digesters to large Bio-CNG plants under the SATAT programme. NDDB is also collaborating with Suzuki Motor Corporation and Sumul Dairy to develop a biogas plant that converts cattle dung into biofuel.
In terms of digital transformation, NDDB has launched several initiatives, including the National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM) featuring a 'Pashu Aadhaar' system, the Automatic Milk Collection System (AMCS), and the Dairy ERP platform (NDERP). NDDB is working with ICAR to enhance dairy productivity, leveraging its expertise in dairy development and cooperative building to address challenges like stagnant productivity, rising feed costs, and climate variability.
Modified: 2026/02/08