India’s unique system of dairy cooperatives can be used as model for poor nations, PM tells global meet

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that unlike other developed countries of the world, the driving force of the dairy sector in India is small farmers and this unique system based on cooperatives can be used to spur development in poor countries.  

India’s dairy sector is characterized by “production by masses” more than “mass production,” PM Modi said while inaugurating the International Dairy Federation World Dairy Summit (IDF WDS) 2022 organised at India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida. The summit is being attended by around 1500 experts from 50 countries.

PM Modi said, India is the largest milk-producing country on the basis of the efforts of these small farmers with one, two or three cattle. This sector provides employment to more than 8 crore families in the country, he informed.

PM Modi said India’s huge network of Dairy Cooperatives which is propelling milk production cannot be found elsewhere in the world and could be used as a model for the development of poor countries.

The Prime Minister explained that these dairy cooperatives collect milk twice a day from about two crore farmers in more than two lakh villages in the country and deliver it to the customers.

He drew everyone’s attention to the fact that there is no middleman in the entire process, and more than 70 per cent of the money that is received from the customers goes directly into the pockets of the farmers. “No other country has this ratio in the whole world”, the Prime Minister added.

He also highlighted the efficiency of the digital system of payment in the dairy sector which ensures that the money reaches quickly to the dairy farmers and said that it has many lessons for other countries.

Another unique feature, according to the Prime Minister, is the indigenous breeds that can withstand many adverse circumstances.

As another unique characteristic, the Prime Minister highlighted the power of women in the dairy sector, the Prime Minister pointed out that women have a 70% representation in the workforce in India’s dairy sector. “Women are the real leaders of India’s dairy sector”, he added.

He said at more than eight and a half lakh crore rupees, the dairy sector is more than the combined value of wheat and rice. This is all driven by the women power of India.

The Prime Minister underlined that the government has worked relentlessly to enhance the potential of India’s dairy sector since 2014. This has led to an increase in milk production thereby leading to an increase in the income of farmers.

“India produced 146 million tonnes of milk in 2014 which has now increased to 210 million tonnes. That is, an increase of about 44 per cent”, the Prime Minister pointed out. He also mentioned that as compared to the 2 per cent global growth in milk production, India is clocking more than 6 per cent growth.

The Prime Minister stressed that animal husbandry and dairy are being promoted as a powerful medium of green and sustainable growth in the villages. Schemes like Rashtriya Gokul Mission, Goberdhan Yojna, Digitization of dairy sector and universal vaccination of cattle along with steps like banning single-use plastic, are steps in that direction.

Stressing the use of modern technology, the Prime Minister said that India is building the largest database of dairy animals and every animal associated with the dairy sector is being tagged. “We are doing biometric identification of animals. We have named it – Pashu Adhar”, he said.

The Prime Minister emphasised that India is also working toward universal vaccination of animals in order to check disease. “We have resolved that by 2025, we will vaccinate 100% of the animals against Foot and Mouth Disease and Brucellosis. We are aiming to be completely free from these diseases by the end of this decade”, the Prime Minister remarked.

The Prime Minister observed that there has been a loss of livestock in many states of India due to the Lumpy Skin Disease and assured everyone that the central government, along with various state governments, is trying their level best to keep a check on it. “Our scientists have also prepared indigenous vaccine for Lumpy Skin Disease”, the Prime Minister added.

In concluding the address, the Prime Minister said this summit will put forward the work that is being done around the world regarding many such technologies. The Prime Minister also urged everyone present to suggest ways to share the expertise related to this field.

Also Read: PM Modi to inaugurate 50-nation World Dairy Summit today