Women Lead India's Dairy Cooperatives, Production Exceeding Combined Value of Wheat and Rice: PM Modi

By: WE Staff | Tuesday, 13 September 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the nation is creating the largest database of dairy animals and that every animal connected to the dairy industry has been marked. In his remarks at the opening of the International Dairy Federation World Dairy Summit 2022 in Greater Noida, Mr. Modi noted that the dairy industry in India is known for production by the masses as opposed to mass production. According to him, small-scale dairy farmers' combined efforts have helped India become the world's top producer of dairy goods. According to him, India produced 146 million tonnes of milk in 2014, and as of today, that number has climbed to 210 million tonnes, an increase of almost 44%. According to India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, the nation is creating the biggest database of dairy animals.

The potential of the dairy industry, according to the prime minister, not only stimulates the rural economy but also serves as a significant source of income for millions of people worldwide. He claimed that, in contrast to other affluent nations, India's dairy industry is driven by small farmers. Mr. Modi emphasised that creating a healthy dairy ecosystem is the government's top priority. According to Mr. Modi, the dairy industry has also been impacted by the digital transformation that India has seen. According to him, a digital payment system created for the Indian dairy industry can benefit farmers all around the world.

The Prime Minister emphasised the influence of women in the dairy industry by pointing out that they make up 70% of the workforce and are the true industry leaders in India. The dairy industry, according to him, is worth more than eight and a half lakh crore rupees, which is more than the combined value of rice and wheat. India's strong women are the ones driving all of this.

According to the prime minister, India is working to improve the dairy industry's production by establishing Pashu-Aadhaar, a system for biometric authentication of dairy animals. According to him, the cattle have recently been threatened by Lumpy Skin Disease, and an indigenous vaccine has been developed to protect them.

According to Mr. Modi, single-use plastic has become a threat to cattle, and the government is dedicated to doing so. All dairy animals would receive the foot and mouth disease vaccine by 2025, he claimed. The Prime Minister said that diversity is necessary in agriculture and that monoculture is not the sole viable option. This also holds true for the care of animals, he continued. That is why both native breeds and hybrid breeds are being given attention in India today, the prime minister claimed. Gobar Dhan Yojana, he claimed, is an illustration of the development of the dairy industry.

The four-day summit brings together key figures from the Indian and international dairy industries, as well as farmers and policymakers, to discuss the topic of "Dairy for Nutrition and Livelihood." The Summit has about 1500 attendees from 50 different nations. The most recent such summit took place in India in 1974, which was around 50 years ago. In that it is based on a cooperative model that empowers small and marginal dairy farmers, particularly women, the Indian dairy industry is exceptional. In the last eight years, milk output has increased by more than 44% as a result of the government's numerous efforts to improve the dairy industry.

At the Summit, the success of the Indian dairy industry—which supplies about 23% of the world's milk, produces about 210 million tonnes annually, and supports more than 8 crore dairy farmers—will be highlighted.