Dairy farming stands as a cornerstone of India's agricultural landscape, pivotal for its economy. This practice involves the nurturing of cattle, buffaloes, or goats to yield dairy treasures like milk, butter, and cheese.
With roots tracing back to ancient times, as mentioned in revered texts such as the Vedas and the Mahabharata, dairy sector in India has surged in importance recently due to escalating demand for milk and its by-products.
At its core, dairy farming focuses on raising dairy cattle, particularly cows and buffaloes. Its primary objectives are the production of milk and its derivatives, such as yogurt, ghee, butter, and cheese. This comprehensive endeavour encompasses a range of activities:
- Feeding Dairy Animals: Providing nourishment to the dairy animals to ensure their health and milk production.
- Managing Dairy Animals: Overseeing the well-being, housing, and overall care of the animals.
- Milking and Processing Milk: The critical step of extracting milk from the animals and processing it into various dairy products.
The Significance of Dairy Farming in India
Dairy farming in India occupies a pivotal place, offering numerous advantages and contributing substantially to the nation's well-being:
- Livelihood and Income: Millions, primarily in rural areas, find their livelihoods and supplementary income in dairy farming.
- Nutrition: Milk, a staple in the Indian diet, furnishes essential nutrients, crucial for children's growth and development, especially for vegetarians who rely on dairy for their protein intake.
- Economic Contribution: Dairy farming constitutes 24% of the total agricultural output and contributes 4.5% to the country's GDP, encompassing milk processing and marketing.
- Sustenance in Drought Regions: In arid regions like Gujarat and Rajasthan, dairy farming provides sustenance for small farmers, agricultural laborers, and landless individuals.
- Women Empowerment: Nearly 70% of the labour in dairy farms is carried out by women, thereby playing a pivotal role in women's empowerment.
- Rural Development: Dairy farming fosters rural development by empowering farmers, reducing poverty, and bridging the urban-rural divide.
The Current Landscape of India's Dairy Industry
The dairy industry in India has undergone remarkable growth and transformation, currently boasting the following key attributes:
- Global Leader: India leads the world in dairy production, contributing a staggering 24% to global milk production.
- Economic Contribution: The dairy sector contributes 4.5% to the national economy, directly benefiting over 10 crore farmers.
- Impressive Growth: Milk production has surged from 146 MT in 2014-15 to an impressive 210 MT in 2020-21, showcasing a CAGR of 6.20%.
- Key States: Rajasthan, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh are among the top states for dairy product production.
- Competitive Landscape: The Indian dairy industry is characterized by fierce competition, with prominent players including Kwality Limited, Aavin, Dudhsagar Dairy, Orissa State Cooperative Milk Producers Federation, Mother Dairy, and Amul.
- Global Exports: India's dairy exports reached 108,711 MT in 2021-22, valued at Rs. 2,929 crores, with leading export destinations being Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Bahrain, UAE, and Bangladesh.
Dairy farming in India is undeniably integral to its agriculture and pivotal to the nation's economic fabric. Despite confronting challenges, the sector continues to flourish, further fuelled by government initiatives, promising a brighter future for this essential industry. If you want to more information about Dairy Farming and tractor tractor, explore the TractorKarvan website.
