India’s Milk Production

India ranks first in world milk production, its production having increased from 17 million tonnes in 1950-51 to 108.5 million tonnes by 2008-09. The per capita availability of milk has increased from 112 grams per day in 1968-69 to 258 grams per day in 2008-09, but is still low compared to the world average of 265 grams per day. The following Table shows this comparison:

• About 80 per cent of milk produced in the country is handled in the unorganized sector.
  
• Remaining 20 per cent is equally shared by cooperatives and private dairies.
  
• Over 1.33 lakh village-level dairy cooperative societies, spread over 265 districts in the country, collect about 25.1 million liters of milk per day and market about 20 million liters.
  

The efforts of the Government in the dairy sector are concentrated in promotion of dairy activities in non-Operation Flood areas with emphasis on building cooperative infrastructure, revitalization of sick dairy cooperatives and federations and creation of infrastructure in the States.

Strengthening Infrastructure for Quality & Clean Milk Production

This was a small Rs. 30 Crore scheme launched in 10th five year plan in 2003 to improve quality standards in milk production, milk collection and processing needs improvement. The reason of the launching this scheme was that quality of milk is poor due to lack of knowledge about clean milk production and lack of post milking chilling facilities in the villages. To compete in international market for export of milk and milk products, it has become necessary to produce the dairy products of international standards.

The scheme is being continued during 11th Plan as merged with the ‘Intensive Dairy Development Programme’. The scheme has the main objective of improving the quality of raw milk produced at the village level in the country.