India Unveils $240M Grant for Dairy Revolution
Sourse: dairynews.today
India's NCDC is providing a grant-in-aid to boost its dairy sector, focusing on cooperatives and technology for a prosperous future.
India’s path to becoming a ‘Developed India’ by 2047 is being powered by a massive strategic investment in its dairy sector. The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹2,000 crore ($240 million) grant to the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) for the period of 2025-26 to 2028-29. This funding will allow NCDC to raise an additional ₹20,000 crore from the open market, which will be channeled into long-term credit and working capital for cooperatives. This decision marks a significant, sustained commitment to modernizing the dairy industry, aiming to transform it into a formidable engine of socio-economic development.
The article credits a series of government initiatives, such as the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, with solidifying India’s position as the world’s largest milk producer. Milk production has surged from 146.31 million tonnes in 2014-15 to over 239 million tonnes in 2023-24, a testament to the hard work of over 80 million farmers. However, the sector still faces significant hurdles including low animal productivity, a persistent shortage of quality feed, rising input costs, and a fragmented supply chain that often results in unremunerative prices for farmers.
To overcome these challenges, the article proposes a new, ambitious roadmap: White Revolution 2.0. This vision is centered on sustainability, technology, and farmer-centric innovation. A Sustainable and Circular Dairy Economy would promote resource efficiency and reward farmers for eco-friendly practices, such as biogas production from manure, potentially through a Dairy Carbon Credit Scheme.
The second pillar is the adoption of Precision Dairy Farming. The article suggests a “Digital Pashu” initiative, which could use wearable sensors for cattle to monitor health and milk yield. This system would be integrated with an AI-driven veterinary support service to improve productivity and reduce disease outbreaks. Also, a National Dairy Technology Fund is proposed to support startups in developing localized, affordable tech solutions for farmers.
Finally, the focus is on empowering a new generation of Dairy Entrepreneurs. By establishing a dedicated Dairy Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Fund, the initiative aims to attract young talent with financial and technical support, facilitating modern, small-scale dairy units and value-added processing facilities. The goal is to move beyond liquid milk to products like cheese and whey protein, catering to India's growing middle class and enhancing the sector's global competitiveness.
The article credits a series of government initiatives, such as the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, with solidifying India’s position as the world’s largest milk producer. Milk production has surged from 146.31 million tonnes in 2014-15 to over 239 million tonnes in 2023-24, a testament to the hard work of over 80 million farmers. However, the sector still faces significant hurdles including low animal productivity, a persistent shortage of quality feed, rising input costs, and a fragmented supply chain that often results in unremunerative prices for farmers.
To overcome these challenges, the article proposes a new, ambitious roadmap: White Revolution 2.0. This vision is centered on sustainability, technology, and farmer-centric innovation. A Sustainable and Circular Dairy Economy would promote resource efficiency and reward farmers for eco-friendly practices, such as biogas production from manure, potentially through a Dairy Carbon Credit Scheme.
The second pillar is the adoption of Precision Dairy Farming. The article suggests a “Digital Pashu” initiative, which could use wearable sensors for cattle to monitor health and milk yield. This system would be integrated with an AI-driven veterinary support service to improve productivity and reduce disease outbreaks. Also, a National Dairy Technology Fund is proposed to support startups in developing localized, affordable tech solutions for farmers.
Finally, the focus is on empowering a new generation of Dairy Entrepreneurs. By establishing a dedicated Dairy Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Fund, the initiative aims to attract young talent with financial and technical support, facilitating modern, small-scale dairy units and value-added processing facilities. The goal is to move beyond liquid milk to products like cheese and whey protein, catering to India's growing middle class and enhancing the sector's global competitiveness.
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