Telangana targets higher milk output for greater self-reliance

Speaking during Question Hour, Vakiti Srihari outlined measures intended to improve milk availability and reinforce the state’s dairy sector. The government has identified greater self-reliance in milk production as a policy objective while also focusing on the position of dairy farmers.

Official figures presented in the Assembly put Telangana’s milk production at 59.35 lakh tonnes for the 2024-25 financial year. The target for 2025-26 is 61.75 lakh tonnes, an increase of about 2.4 lakh tonnes over the previous year.

The minister also gave an estimate for the following financial year. Production during the first six months of 2026-27 was expected to be about 30 lakh tonnes. The figure was presented as an estimate based on the output recorded during that initial six-month period.

A central measure cited by Srihari was an upward revision of the price paid for milk procured through Vijaya Dairy. The revised procurement price has taken effect, although the minister’s statement did not specify the new rate.

Vijaya Dairy is a state-linked dairy brand and forms part of Telangana’s organised milk sector. Its procurement arrangements connect producers with formal processing and distribution channels, making the price revision a government measure directed at the relationship between farmers and organised dairy operations.

The state’s programme therefore combines production targets with support for procurement. Telangana’s reported output, projected production and six-month estimate were presented alongside the procurement-price revision as measures covering both milk supply and the participation of dairy farmers in the organised sector.