India's Dairy Sector & The Push for Cooperative-Led Growth
The Union Home and Cooperation Minister, Amit Shah, has outlined the government's vision for the dairy sector, highlighting its phenomenal growth and announcing new strategic initiatives to further strengthen it through the cooperative model.
1. Why in the News?
Union Minister Amit Shah, while inaugurating the Sabar Dairy Plant in Rohtak, Haryana, announced the establishment of three new multi-state cooperative societies for the dairy sector and set ambitious targets under White Revolution 2.0. He also highlighted the sector's 70% growth over the past 11 years.
2. Key Data Points: The Scale of India's Dairy Sector
Milk Production: Increased from 146 million tonnes (2014-15) to 239 million tonnes (2023-24).
Global Position: India is the world's largest milk producer, and the sector is the fastest-growing in the world.
Indigenous Breeds: Milk production from indigenous cattle breeds rose from 39 MMT to 50 MMT.
Farmer Involvement: 8 crore farmers are connected to the dairy sector.
Per Capita Availability: Increased from 124 grams/day to 471 grams/day.
Processing Capacity: Current capacity is 66 million litres/day, with a target to reach 100 million litres/day by 2028-29.
3. Salient Features of the New Initiatives
A. Three New Multi-State Cooperative Societies:
| Society | Focus Area | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1. For Animal Feed, Disease Control & AI | Ensuring quality feed, animal healthcare, and improving cattle genetics through artificial insemination. | Addresses core input constraints that limit productivity. Improves animal health and milk yield. |
| 2. For Cow Dung Management | Developing models for the commercial use of cow dung (e.g., biogas, organic manure, products like incense). | Promotes a circular economy, creates additional revenue streams for farmers, and addresses waste management. |
| 3. For Circular Use of Dead Cattle | Promoting the safe and productive utilization of cattle remains (e.g., in leather, bone meal industries). | Addresses a sensitive issue productively, reduces environmental hazard, and enhances farmer income. |
B. White Revolution 2.0:
Target: Establish 75,000 new dairy cooperatives and strengthen 46,000 existing ones.
Goal: To ensure "not even one Panchayat will be there in the country, which will not have a cooperative society" by 2029.
C. The Sabar Dairy Plant (A Case Study):
Investment: ₹325 crore.
Capacity: Country's largest facility for curd, buttermilk, and yogurt.
Impact: Meets demand in NCR and Northern states, empowering farmers across multiple states (Rajasthan, Haryana, UP, etc.).
4. Strategic Significance & Analysis
A. Strengthening the "Amul Model":
The initiatives aim to replicate the success of Gujarat's cooperative model (Amul, Sabar Dairy) nationwide. The creation of a dedicated Ministry of Cooperation in 2021 is central to this strategy.
B. Moving Beyond Milk: The Circular Economy Push:
The focus on cow dung and cattle remains moves the dairy economy from a linear model (milk production only) to a circular one, where waste is converted into wealth. This aligns with sustainability goals and the Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources (GOBAR)-DHAN scheme.
C. Empowering Rural Economy and Farmers:
Dairy is a primary source of secondary income for small and marginal farmers, especially women. Strengthening cooperatives ensures a greater share of the consumer's rupee reaches the producer, directly contributing to "Doubling Farmers' Income."
D. Addressing Productivity Challenges:
India's per-animal milk yield is low compared to global standards. The new society focusing on feed, disease control, and artificial insemination directly targets this weakness.
E. Job Creation and Rural Development:
As highlighted by the Haryana CM, plants like Sabar Dairy create thousands of jobs and energize the rural economy, reducing the pressure on urban migration.
5. Probable UPSC Questions
A. Prelims (Factual)
Consider the following statements regarding India's dairy sector:
India is the world's largest producer of milk.
The per capita availability of milk in India has decreased over the last decade.
The 'Amul' model is based on a cooperative structure.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None
Answer: (b) Only two
*Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is incorrect as per capita availability has increased significantly from 124 gm/day to 471 gm/day.*
B. Mains GS (Analytical)
GS Paper III (Agriculture, Economy)
"The dairy sector is not just about milk, but a powerful tool for rural empowerment and sustainable development." Elucidate in the context of recent government initiatives.
What is a circular economy? Discuss how the newly announced multi-state cooperative societies for the dairy sector aim to promote it.
GS Paper II (Governance)
The cooperative model has been a cornerstone of India's White Revolution. Critically examine the challenges in replicating this model across all Panchayats by 2029, as envisioned by the government.
C. Interview
"How can the dairy sector be leveraged to address the problem of agrarian distress in India?"
"What are the potential environmental challenges of rapidly scaling up the dairy sector, and how can the circular economy model help mitigate them?"
"The success of cooperatives in Gujarat is often attributed to a unique socio-political ecosystem. How can this success be translated to states with weaker cooperative traditions?"
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