National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)

The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), based in Anand, Gujarat, is a cornerstone of India's dairy sector. It has played a crucial role in making India the world's largest milk producer through its innovative and sustainable approaches to dairy development.

Significant Events

One of the most remarkable achievements of NDDB was the launch of 'Operation Flood' in 1970, a revolutionary program that established a national milk grid, connecting rural milk producers with urban consumers. This initiative significantly boosted India's milk production capabilities. In 2025, NDDB demonstrated its commitment to innovation and diversity in dairy products by hosting the First Indian Cheese Festival at its headquarters.

Company Plans and Initiatives

NDDB is committed to sustainable growth and improving the livelihoods of dairy farmers across the country. Its strategic objectives include leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance livestock quality, increasing feed and fodder production, and expanding cow dung biogas generation across 250 district dairy cooperatives. The organization plans to establish 10 automated milk processing plants across 18 districts and set up 100 testing laboratories in collaboration with the Rajasthan Co-operative Dairy Federation.

Furthermore, NDDB is mediating a market conflict between Milma and Nandini milk brands, with potential central government support for Nandini's market entry. It is also developing a solar-powered dairy processing plant in Kargil, involving 1,500 farmers and processing 10,000 liters of milk daily to supply fresh milk to the Indian Army.

Ownership and Leadership

NDDB owns Mother Dairy, a major player in the Indian dairy market. The board is currently led by Shri Meenesh Shah, who emphasizes innovation and data-driven planning in the organization's operations.

Sustainability and Technological Initiatives

NDDB integrates biogas production into rural dairy cooperatives, offering economic and environmental benefits. It supports the development of biogas infrastructure, from small 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, the Automatic Milk Collection System (AMCS), and the Dairy ERP platform (NDERP). Partnering with ICAR, NDDB focuses on increasing dairy productivity by addressing challenges such as stagnant productivity levels and rising feed costs.

Environmental and Regional Projects

NDDB collaborates with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to manage environmental challenges from dairy waste and improve the Yamuna's water quality. The Himachal Pradesh government has signed a memorandum of understanding with NDDB to enhance the state's dairy processing capabilities, creating employment opportunities for local farmers.

In Arunachal Pradesh, NDDB supports the expansion of the dairy sector, while in Bihar, it partners with the Bihar State Milk Cooperative Federation and ISRO for a green fodder mapping project. NDDB also collaborates with SAIL to renew a school milk programme aimed at combating child malnutrition and supporting dairy industry growth.

The organization is also involved in developing biodegradable packaging, with Dr. Meenesh Shah commenting on the faster degradation promise of the new milk pouches compared to conventional plastic. NDDB is working to expand cooperative networks to prevent milk fraud and focuses on integrating more milk into the organized sector, addressing structural vulnerabilities within informal distribution channels, and promoting technological integration at the village level to ensure food safety and economic growth.

NDDB is actively involved in converting cattle waste into biogas and fertilizer. It is working with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to formalize a significant Memorandum of Understanding to turn regional dairy waste into compressed biogas and organic fertilizer.

NDDB is also part of capacity-building programs to support the expansion of cooperative societies aimed at integrating smallholder production into global supply chains. The organization highlights that localized collection points are the weakest links and calls for more stringent testing protocols at initial collection stages due to the vulnerability of India's marketable milk to adulteration.

Finally, NDDB is involved in a significant tripartite MoU with Tripura's State Animal Resources Development Department and the Gomati Co-operative Milk Producers' Union Limited to enhance the dairy cooperative sector in Tripura.

Modified: 2026/06/25