CHAPTER-IV

DAIRY PROCESSING INDUSTRY IN

INDIA
Agriculture along with animal husbandry has been and will continue to be the lifeline
of Indian economy. India is the largest and one of the most economical milk producers in the
world (estimated production of 105 million tons). It is the most important sector of the
Indian economy particularly in poverty alleviation and employment generation. This sector
contributes close to one-fourth of Indias National income and total work force engaged in
agriculture is about 60 per cent.

In India, the dairy sector plays an important role in the country's socio-economic
development, and constitutes an important segment of the rural economy. Dairy industry
provides livelihood to millions of homes in villages, ensuring supply of quality milk and milk
products to people in both urban and rural areas. With a view to keeping pace with the
country's increasing demand for milk and milk products, the industry has been growing
rapidly.
India in the early 1950s was importing around 55000 tons of milk powder annually to
meet the urban milk demand. Most of the significant developments in Dairy Industry have
taken place in this century only now. According to research report, Indian Dairy Industry
Analysis, India is the world's largest milk producer, accounting for around 17% of the global
milk production. Besides, it is one of the largest producers as well as consumers of dairy
products. Due to their rich nutritional qualities, the consumption of dairy products has been
growing exponentially in the country, and considering such facts and figures, our study
anticipates that the milk production in India will grow at a CAGR of around 4% during 2011-

139

2015. With the rising use of dairy products, the secondary market for dairy products has also
been flourishing.
The Indian Dairy Development is quite different from those of the developed
countries. As India enters an era of economic reforms, agriculture, particularly the livestock
sector is positioned to be a major growth area. The fact that dairying could play a more
constructive role in promoting rural welfare and reducing poverty is increasingly being
recognized. All these above aspects are the stepping-stones to reach white revolution.
Many efforts have been made in this regard and have been proved to be fruit full.
Among these are the Operation Flood program which was launched in 1970-71, and dairy
development through producers Cooperatives and milk production based on milk shed was
promoted in rural areas.
Cooperative Movement in Dairying 94
Immediately after India gained independence in 1947, the Milk Control Board was
established to control the dairy supply and distribution chains. However, a number of issues
emerged. First, the middlemen got hold of the sales profit and the share of producers in the
sales declined. Second, as processing units were set up in cities, it became difficult for the
milk to be procured and transported the production centres in the rural areas. Consequently,
the yield of milk declined and imports of milk powder went up.
Dairying in India was largely unorganized before the Independence. Crop farming and
dairy farming are the part of food production for human population in India. But in recent
years dairying has emerged as an important instrument for providing employment and
additional income to rural house holdings. The organized dairying has been started in a small
way when military dairy forms and creameries were established towards the end of 19th
94

Goswami, B. (2007, October 45). Can Indian Dairy Cooperatives Survive in the New Economic Order? Paper

presented at the WTO Public Forum How Can the WTO Help Harness Globalization, Geneva, Switzerland.

140

century to meet the demand of the armed forces and their hospitals, Some private dairies such
as co-venture and polsoms with more or less processing facilities were encouraged to make
pasteurized butter. In the past dairy farming was basically carried out and managed at the
house hold level. Milk and its products were produced mainly for home consumptions and to
some extent, for the local market. Rapid growth of urban population change in food habits,
technological advancement in transportation. Processing and refrigeration have, however
brought out significant changes in the pattern of production and marketing of milk.
Co-operatives have generally been found to be the successful form of organization for
production, procurement, processing and marketing of milk in the world. The first cooperative dairy society in India was established at Allahabad (UP) in 1913. The Calcutta Milk
supply societies union established in 1919 was the earliest co-operative organization in the
country for the supply of clean pasteurized milk to consumers. The establishment of milk cooperatives has been the most important feature of the daily industry in India, during the postindependence period. During the pre-independence period in addition to co-operative dairy
societies and unions, some dairy farms were established by private institution, and Indian
Agricultural Research Institute. The earlier milk co-operative mostly collected and sold raw
milk to local consumers. But the first large-scale and systematic breakthrough in dairy cooperatives in India was made in 1948 by the Kaira District Co-operatives Milk producers
Union Limited at Anand in 1946. The basic concept at Anand was different from the previous
co-operatives. In that its processed fluid milk for sale at a distant market like Bombay. This
unit also produced milk products for markets located all over the country and provided
technical inputs for milk production enhancement. The Kaira Union emerged as a pioneer in
the milk co-operative movement in India. Encouraged by the success of the union,
milk producers in other districts of Gujarat and some parts of the country also formed milk
co-operatives on the same pattern. Subsequently, the Kaira Cooperative Union established a
marketing agency named Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, which follows a

141

threelayer structure that collects, processes and markets dairy products at village, district and
state levels. The district units also provide technical support to the milk producers and a
range of services such as feed, veterinary care, artificial insemination, education and training.
These milk cooperatives of Gujarat today own the GCMMF, the largest food products
business in India. GCMMF is also the largest exporter of dairy products from India and owns
the brand Amul, which in a vernacular language means Highly Valuable or Priceless.
ANAND PATTERN:
The system of production, procurement, processing and marketing of milk adopted by
the Kaira Union is popularly known as Anand pattern or the Amul pattern. Anand is the place
of headquarters of the Kaira Union and Amul is the brand name of dairy products produced
by the Kaira union. Anand pattern was regarded as a model for dairy development in rural
areas in and outside the country. This system was approved by the Rural Credit Review
Committee

95

as well as by the National Commission on agricultural for implementation

throughout the country. Under the Anand Pattern, a primary co-operative society of milk
producers is formed at the village level. These societies are federated in a milk union at the
district level. Milk unions are further federated at the state level in a Federation. There has
been a many- fold increase in the number, membership and turnover of milk co-operatives in
the country, during the post-independence period. In pursuance of a government directive
(1964) to set up milk co-operatives on Anand Pattern throughout the country, the National
Dairy Development Board (NDDB) was set up at Anand in 1965. The NDDB drew up a
program known as Operation flood to replicate the Anand pattern in 18 areas of milk
production in the milk sheds of Bombay, Delhi, Calcutta and Madras. The worlds largest
dairy development program the Operation Flood undertook the gigantic task of upgrading
and modernizing milk production, procurement and marketing with the assistance provided
by the world Food Program, European Economic Community (EEC), the World Bank and
95

(Venkatappaiah Committee 1969)

142

other international agencies. The Indian Dairy Corporation (IDC) was specially set up in
1970 by the Government of India for receiving the gift of the skim milk powder and butter oil
under the World Food Program and generating funds by their sale for the implementation of
the project.
Operation Flood Era 96
Indias dairy sector witnessed a spectacular growth between 1971 and 1996; the
period was known as the Operation Flood era. An integrated cooperative program aimed at
developing the dairy industry was implemented in three phases, with The National Dairy
Development Board designated by the Government of India as the implementing agency. The
major objective was to provide an assured market round the year to the rural milk producers
and to establish linkage between rural milk production and urban market through modern
technology and professional management. Further it was meant to achieve vertical integration
of milk procurement, processing and marketing through a three-tier co-operative structure.
The Operation Flood was one of the worlds largest rural development programs which ran
for 26 years and eventually helped India to emerge as the worlds largest milk producer. As
part of the program, around ten million farmers were enrolled as members of about 73000
milk cooperative societies.
The first phase of the program termed Operation Flood-I (OF-I) lasted from 1970-71
to 1977-78. Second stage of Operation Flood-II (OF-II) lasted from 1978-79 to 1984-85.
There was a transition period of two years, 1985-86 and 1986-87 before the Operation FloodIII (OF-III) began in 1987-88 and ended in April 1996.
The Operation Flood I ended on 31st March 1981 with an investment of Rs. 1,160
million, benefiting 1.5million rural families banded together in 12000 village co-operatives
milk producers societies in 27 selected milk shed districts.
96

It paved the way for the

Tikku, D. (2003, November). Indian Dairy Sector and the National Dairy Development Board: An Overview.
Address made at the International Workshop of Livestock and Livelihoods: Challenges and Opportunities for
Asia in the Emerging Market Environment, Anand, India.

143

expanded program Operation Flood II. The Project Operation Flood II drawn in 1979, is to
cover 26 states and union territories with an additional investment of Rs.7,800 million, the
program envisages to cover 155 milk shed districts and linking them to markets in 147 towns
and cities, benefiting 10 million rural families. The funds for the program are being partly
generating by the sale of 186thousand tones of milk power and 76 thousand tones of butter
oil donated by the European Economic Community (EEC).The purpose of these dairy
development projects is to implement integrated program for increasing the production of
milk in rural areas through co-operative development program following the Anand Pattern,
which also includes import of cattle, quality cross breeding, animal health improvement, the
development of facilities for milk collection processing and marketing and provision of
training for farmers and instructors.

The union Government has also set up a Dairy

Development Department to co-ordinate the activities of NDDB, IDC and the State
Governments, National Co-operative Dairy Federation was also formed in 1972 with
headquarters in Delhi. The Federation undertakes organizational and promotional programs
in the connection. Thus, a large organizational set-up has been created to work for dairy
development in India.
The Operation Flood program was a major policy development, which provided the
missing market link between the urban milk consumers and rural producers through a
network of Co-operatives. The decision to promote dairy development through Co-operative
was based on a number of considerations. The important among them was dairying, which
would provide an additional source of employment. The next one is the formulation of
Government policies to support dairy Cooperatives. Large scale public investments made in
processing and marketing infrastructure through Co-operatives was another major
consideration. To promote domestic production under Cooperatives, it was protected from
cheap subsidized imports of dairy products (butter, butter oil, ghee, cheese, and milk powder)
through various import substitutes and restrictions/imposition measures. The Indian dairy

144

Cooperatives were the canalizing agency for the import of milk and milk products. These
products were available in the international markets at prices, which made processing of milk
and milk products cheaper than collecting and selling of dairy products. However, all these
things happened in the closed economy environment. Now the entire scenario has changed
and the protection to this sector has come by imposing quantitative barriers such as
canalizing of imports and exports of the dairy products and also by adopting import
substitution policy, which leads to protection of domestic dairy sector from imports. The
competition from organized private sectors was controlled by utilizing the provision of
industrial licensing under Industrial Development and Regulation Act 1951 to prohibit new
entrants into milk processing sector.

In the early nineties, the Government of India

introduced major trade policy, which favored liberalization of all sectors of economy and
dairy sectors was no exception to this. The dairy industry was de-licensed in 1991 with a
view to encourage private investment and flow capital and new technology in the sector. The
competition from the organized private sector was immediate in the form of sharp increase in
capacities for milk processing, especially in areas where milk availability was relatively
significant. Within a year of de-licensing over 100 new dairy processing plants come up in
the private sector. However, in 1992 the Milk and Milk Products Order (MMPO) was
promulgated under the essential commodities Act 1955 to regulate milk and milk products
production in the country. There was certain inherent weakness in the MMPO for example;
every unit was required to develop its milk-shed areas to procure milk for processing. In
some cases the milk sheds areas were quite far away from the processing units, which
increased the cost of transportation and also affected quality of raw milk because of many
units did not have required infrastructure (Cold chain) to procure and to transport of milk.
Since many of the existing milk shed, the procurement by organized sector was low; it was
surprising to restrict the entry of other players in those areas. Its recognizing the need for
suitable amendments in the MMPO Act 1992, GOI has made amendments from time to time

145

in order to make more liberal and facilitated the dairy development. During 2001 the
Government made some important amendments in MMPO Act 1992, whereby the
registration of units handling up to one lakh liters of milk per day or 5000 tones of milk
solids per annum was granted by the concerned state Government. And the requirement of
renewal license was abolished, but the Government controls, regulations, and licensing
requirements restricted large Indian and multinational players for making significant
investments in this sector. In the month of March 2003, GOI abolished the restrictions on
setting up milk processing and milk products manufacturing plants and removed the concept
of milk shed, whereas requirements regarding to food safety and hygiene were retained in the
MMPO.
The Cooperatives should be managed and run on commercial lines and
corporatization of cooperative will enable to compete effectively in open market environment
by amendments of Multi State Cooperative Society Act 1984. Similarly amendments in the
state act on the lines of the model co-operative law. The WTO regime is now a reality as
India is a signatory under the WTO rules has opportunity to extend its exports product base.
Its become more open world trade regime where barriers to trade were reduced. The major
dairy products exported from the country includes skimmed milk powder, whole milk
powder, ghee, butter oil, milk food for babies, butter, milk for babies, milk and cream etc.
The positive trend in export and negative trend in imports was observed due to the success
full implementation of Operation Flood and set of Government policies regarding
international trade.

At global level, milk has been identified as an integral part of food for centuries. The
success of White Revolution in India has largely been written by millions of small holders.
About 70 million dairy farmers produce more than 50 per cent of the milk in the country.
Milk and milk products are one of the important components of the Indian food industry.

146

Consumption of milk and milk products is deeply rooted in our tradition and it is an essential
item during rituals, festivals and other auspicious events.

Dairy market in India is quite huge and according to an estimate the unorganized milk
and milk product market is about Rs 470 billion while the market for processed organized
dairy segment is only Rs 10000 crores. The market is currently growing at round 5% pa in
volume terms. There is an impressive level of processing i.e. 22% in organized sector. The
dairy exports in 200708 rose to US$ 210.5 million against US$ 113.57 last fiscal, whereas
the domestic dairy sector is slated to cross US$ 108 billion in revenues by 2011. India with
its population of more than 1 billion and diverse food habits, cultures, tradition and religions,
offer great market for milk and milk products. Milk products with well defined quality
characteristics and packaged in attractive containers can be marketed at different places. Most
dairy food delicacies are value added products generating high profits.

CHART III.1 DEPICTING PERCENTAGE SHARE OF DIFFERENT MILK

PROCESSED PRODUCTS IN A MODEL DAIRY PROCESSING INDUSTRY

The milk products produced include curd, ghee, khoa, chhana, paneer, shrikhand ,
milk powder, whitener ,condensed milk, malted milk food, ice cream and a variety of milk
sweets, some of which are now produce d by the organized dairy industries as well, are major
value added products from the Indian dairy sector.

147

The market for traditional dairy products in India is estimated to be US $ 10 billion,

being the largest and fastest growing segment of the Indian dairy industry.

CHART III.2 DEPICTING POTENTIAL FOR VALUE-ADDED DAIRY PRODUCTS

Driven by steady population growth and rising income, milk consumption continues
to rise in India. Dairy market is currently growing at an annual growth rate of around 7 per
cent in volume terms. The market size of Indian dairy industry stands at around US$ 45
billion. India is well known as Oyster of global Dairy Industry with opportunities galore for
entrepreneurs on the globe. It might be dream for any nation in world to capitalize on large
and fast growing milk and milk products marketing.

Main objective of Indian Dairy

Industry is to manage national resources in a manner to enhance milk production and upgradation of milk processing using innovative technologies. Indian dairy Industry achieved
the status of producer-owned and profit manufacturing co-operative system. More than 10
million dairy farmers belonging to 96,000 dairy co-operatives who sell produce to one of 170
milk primary co-operative unions who in turn are supported by 15 state co-operative milk
marketing federations are all the constituents of Indian Dairy Industry.
Since Indias population is predominantly vegetarian; milk serves as an important part
of daily diet. Indians use milk in various preparations such as in brewing tea and coffee, in

148

making yogurt or curd and in preparing many Indian dishes. For most households, milk is
also a popular beverage due to its nutritional value.
As income from crop production is seasonal, instead dairying provides stable income
which is year round and also important economic incentive for several farmers every rural
household in India concentrates on dairying. In India, rural households consume almost 50
percent of total milk production. The remaining 50 percent is sold in the domestic market. Of
the share of milk sold in the domestic market, almost 50 percent is consumed in fluid form,
35 percent is consumed as traditional products (cheese, yoghurt and milk based sweets), and
15 percent is consumed for the production of butter, ghee, milk powder and other processed
dairy products (including baby foods, ice cream, whey powder, casein, and milk albumin).
Favourable price environment for milk production in Dairy Industry in India weakened in
90s. Decline in real profits in milk noticed after 1992 and then regained glory after 1992 till
now.

The Indian dairy sector is also different from other dairy producing countries as India
places its emphasis on both cattle and buffalo milk. In 2010, the government and the National
Dairy Development Board have drawn up a National Dairy Plan (NDP) that proposes to
nearly double Indias milk production by 2020. This plan will endeavour to increase the
countrys milk productivity, improve access to quality feeds and improve farmer access to the
organized market. These goals will be achieved through activities that focus on increasing
cooperative membership and growing the network of milk collection facilities throughout
India.
Most dairy products are consumed in the fresh form and only a small quantity is
processed for value addition. In recent years, however, the market for branded processed food
products has expanded. Although only around 2 per cent food is processed in India, still the
highest processing happens in the dairy sector, where 35 per cent of the total produce is
processed, of which only 13 per cent is processed by the organized sector.
149

India is one of the most attractive destinations for business & investment
opportunities, having 16% of the world's human population i.e. 1.22 billion being the 4th
largest economy of the world with growing GDP @ 8% and per capita income @ 17.3% (i.e.
Rs 54,527 in 2010-11)

Indian Dairy Key Facts

Ranks 1st in world milk production (115 million metric tones)

Value of milk output from livestock (at current price) is around INR 2400 Billion

Value of dairy products market is around INR 4000 Billion

Ice cream industry is around INR 25 Billion

Milk production in India has come a long way over the years from a low volume of 17
MT in 1951 to around 115 MT in 2010; 70% of milk is produced by marginal
farmers.

65 per cent of the milk is sold in loose form

Only 5 per cent of the milk is sold through retail chains

70 per cent is delivered to the homes by milk agents

Carton milk or packaged milk has been growing at 24 per cent annually

Most branded FMCG companies are keen on launching flavoured dairy products
whose market size is pegged at US$ 166 million.

Despite India being the largest milk producing nation in the world the Indian Dairy Industry
is weighed down by a host of problems like low milk productivity of milch animal i.e.
987kg/year (world average is 2200kg/year) , large no. of unproductive animals, low genetic
potency, poor nutrition etc.

150

TABLE III.1 SHOWING KEY STATISTICS OF INDIAS DAIRY INDUSTRY

Key Statistics: Annual Milk Production (20089)5
Annual Export Volume (20089)6
Share of world dairy production (2010)7
Share of world trade in dairy products (2003)8
Milking herd size 9
Number of milk producers cooperative unions
Number of local dairy cooperatives
Number of state cooperatives 10
Per capita consumption (Drinking milk) 11
Estimated percentage of dairy farmers in
organised sector 12
% of dairy produce consumed by unorganised
sector 13
Dairy industry workforce 14

108.5 Million Tons

70,790 Tons
15%
0.3%
115.5 million
170
96,000
15
250g/day
4050%
65%
75 million women/ 15 million men

National Dairy Development Board (2010). National Statistics. Retrieved 16 Jun 2011, from
http://www.nddb.org/statistics/milkproduction.html
6 Technopak. (2010). Public Private Partnership in Indian Dairy Industry 2010. Retrieved 17 June 2011,
from
http://www.technopak.com/resources/Food/PPP%20in%20Indian%20Dairy%20Industry_Technopak_
CII_Background%20Paper_May08,2010%20pdf%20ver.pdf
7 Chand, S., Saraiya, A., & Sridhar, V. (2010). Public Private Partnership in Indian Dairy Industry.
Retrieved
17
June
2011,
from
http://www.technopak.com/resources/Food/PPP%20in%20Indian%20Dairy%20Industry_Technopak_
CII_Background%20Paper_May08,2010%20pdf%20ver.pdf
8 Goswami, B. (2007, October 45). Can Indian Dairy Cooperatives Survive in the New Economic Order?
Paper presented at the WTO Public Forum How Can the WTO Help Harness Globalization, Geneva,
Switzerland.
Retrieved
16
June
2011,
from
http://www.wto.org/english/forums_e/public_forum2007_e/session11_goswami_e.pdf
9 Chand, S., Saraiya, A., & Sridhar, V. (2010). Public Private Partnership in Indian Dairy Industry.
Retrieved
17
June
2011,
from
http://www.technopak.com/resources/Food/PPP%20in%20Indian%20Dairy%20Industry_Technopak_
CII_Background%20Paper_May08,2010%20pdf%20ver.pdf
10
Indian Mirror. (2011). Indian Dairy Industry. Retrieved 17 June 2011, from
http://www.indianmirror.com/indianindustries/dairy.html
11 Chawla, A., Chawla, N., & Pant, Y. (2009). Milk and Dairy Products in India Production, Consumption
and Exports: Introduction. India: Hindustan Studies & Services Ltd. Retrieved 17 June 2011,
http://www.hindustanstudies.com/files/dairysept09tocintro.pdf
12 Singh, R. (2011). India Dairy and Products Annual Report 2010. USDA Foreign Agricultural Service:
Global
Agricultural
Information
Network.
Retrieved
16
June
2011,
from
static.globaltrade.net/files/pdf/20110226231255627.pdf
13 Singh, R. (2011). India Dairy and Products Annual Report 2010. USDA Foreign Agricultural Service:
Global
Agricultural
Information
Network.
Retrieved
16
June
2011,
from
static.globaltrade.net/files/pdf/20110226231255627.pdf
14 Goswami, B. (2007, October 45). Can Indian Dairy Cooperatives Survive in the New Economic
Order? Paper presented at the WTO Public Forum How Can the WTO Help Harness Globalization,
Geneva,
Switzerland
5

151

TABLE III.2
SHOWING PER CAPITAL AVAILABILITY OF MILK
Year

Grams per day

2000-01

220

2005-06

241

2008-09

250*

*estimated,
Source: Department of Animal Husbandry and dairying

TABLE III.3
SHOWING DAIRY LIVESTOCK POPULATION IN INDIA BY SPECIES97

97

National

Species

(In millions)

Cattle

185.2

Adult Female Cattle

64.5

Buffalo

97.9

Adult Female Buffalo

51

Total Bovines

283.1

Goat

124.4

Dairy

Development

Board

(2010).

National

http://www.nddb.org/statistics.html

153

Statistics.

Retrieved

16

Jun

2011,

from

CHART III.3 DEPICTING SWOT ANALYSIS OF INDIAN DAIRY INDUSTRY

Strength

Weakness

o Largest milk producer in the world

o Poor feeding practices

around 100 million MT. Indian dairy

o Poor access to institutional credit

Industry value of output amounts to

o Lack of cold storage facilities

Rs.1179 billion in 2004-05 which

approx equals combined output of
paddy and wheat.
o A huge base of around 11 million

farmers
o Traditional emphasis on consumption
o 1/5

th

of world bovine population in

India

Opportunity

Threat

o Elastic demand; economic growth will

spur demand

o Nearly 80 per cent of the Indian dairy

industry is unorganized

o Increasing preference for branded dairy

products

o Removal of import duty has led to the

threat of dumping

o Growing focus on health and nutrients

in urban market

154

Porter competitive analysis

Threat of competition is high as there are no entry barriers and consequently there are
many brands and local players making up the competitive rivalry

Threat of substitutes is low as milk is an essential item for beverages like tea, coffee
etc. Also traditional consumption habits make milk a favourite with most households
in India

Bargaining power of suppliers is low because suppliers mainly comprise rural

households and small co-operatives

Bargaining power of consumers is high because of competition in the organized sector

and large unorganized market in rural areas

Main Players in Indian Dairy Industry

Major players in the dairy sector with dairy products include Gujarat Co-operative Milk
Marketing Federation (GCMMF) and Nestle are the largest player. Others include Milk food
Limited, SmithKline Beecham Limited, Indodan Industries Limited, H.J. Heinz Limited,
Britannia, Cadbury, etc .All other local dairy cooperatives have their local brands (For e.g.
Gokul, Warana in Maharashtra, Saras in Rajasthan, Verka in Punjab, Vijaya in Andhra Pradesh,
Aavin in Tamil Nadu, etc). Other private players include J K Dairy, Heritage Foods, Indiana
Dairy, Dairy Specialties, etc.

Milk products - Amul, Britannia, Vijaya, Verka and Vadilal

Cheese products- Amul, Britannia, Dabur (Le Bon) are the leading players. Other prominent
players include Verka, Nandini, Vijaya and Vadilal

155

Dairy Whiteners - Nestle, Amul, Britannia, Dynamix Diary, Sterling Agro, Haryana Milk Foods,
Mohan Food, Modern Dairy, K Dairy

TABLE III.4 SHOWING CRITICAL ISSUES RELATED TO INDIAN DAIRY

INDUSTRY
Key success factors
Liquid

o Sourcing

milk

o Distribution

Business concerns
o Financial

Demand drivers
o Packaging

distress of co-

in

smaller units

operatives

Packaged

o Small

o Technology

market

size

milk

Milk

o Branding

products

o Refrigeration

Infant milk

o Education

o Inadequate

infrastructure

o Poor

o Marketing

penetration

156

o Convenience
o Health concerns

o Increase

in per

capita income

o Changing

habits

food

Regulatory changes

Dairy sector was de-licensed in 1991

No industrial license is required for dairy industry

Foreign equity participation permitted to the extent of 51 per cent in dairy processing
sector

Excise duty on dairy machinery has been fully waived off

For quality of dairy products regulatory environment policy of Government was

implemented in the dairy processing sector like compulsory legislation MMPO Act 1992, Food
Adulteration Act 1954, Standard on Weights and Measures (Packaged commodities) Rules 1977,
Export Quality and Inspection Act 1963, Livestock Importation Act 1898 etc. had work
successfully in taking the dairy sector to the international market and compete with the highest.
The SPS and TBT agreement in the recent WTO have vastly changed the current international
food trade scenario. The importing countries accepted Codex - international food standards and
at the same time they imposed (specify) their own requirements on the basis of scientific
information. With continuing changes in world dairy production, compositions of consumption
and emerging challenges in food safety and quality shifts in consumer requirement of
international trade, and these complex things definitely necessitated periodic review and
updating of national food control systems and infrastructure support. The various
Importing countries stipulates the measures in time to time on Indian exporters, which becomes
necessary to fulfill their requirements otherwise returning the products costs more and hard to
afford. It also affected the countrys trades and which automatically affect the economy.

157

TABLE III.5 SHOWING COST INCURRED AND PERCENTAGE OF RETURN FOR

VARIOUS PRODUCTS OF MILK PROCESSING INDUSTRY
Return
Name

Capacity

Cost *
%

150

Ton

Baby

cereal

food

75

Baby Cereal Milk Powder

Ton

Milk
125.00

43.49

40 NOS/day

35.23

31.00

Chocolate

500 Kgs/ day

44.71

41.68

Chocolate Drink

10 MT/day

262.17

42.00

18,00,00 Lt./Year Milk and Packaging

55.00

32.31

10 T.P.D.

148.00

55.00

Cones For Softy lce Cream

0.00

0.00

Casein From Milk

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Powder/Year

Cattle

Breeding

&

Dairy

Farm To Produce Milk

Collection

of

Packaging

In

Milk

and

Polythene

Pouches (1 Kg., 1/2 KG., 2

Kg Packs)

Condensed

Milk

(sweetened)

Condensed

Milk

158

(Sweetened)

Dairy

Farm

And

Dairy
2000 Litrs/day

96.62

29.17

0.00

0.00

Products

Dairy Farming To Produce

Milk

For

Co-Operative -

Society

Dairy Farm

1,51,000

Kg-Ghee,

5,00,000

Kg

40,000

Kgs

Cheese,
Litre 238.00

27.34

242.00

27.34

46.00

25.04

600 Tons/Year

44.00

49.58

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

290.00

64.00

Cream,

8,00

000

Pasturization/Year

Dairy Farming

2000 Buffaloes & Milk Product

Dairy Farm to Produce Milk

in Pouches (50%)& Cans 1600 Litre Milk/Day by 150 Cows (Jersy)
(50%)

Ice Cream Stabilizers

Instant Ice Cream Mix in

Various Flavours

Ice Cream & Ice Candy

Instant

Coffee

&

Instant

Tea (Premixed with Sugar &

1080 MT of Ready Mix Instant Coffee 1080 MT

of Ready Mixed Instant Tea/Year

159

Milk)

Milk

Powder,

Milk,

Butter,

Pasteurised
& 30000 Ltrs/day

Cheese

1,505.91 30.32

Ghee

Milk Product Cheese

350 Kgs/day

63.49

45.85

Milk Powder

0.00

0.00

10 T.P.D.

225.00

58.00

2 T.P.D.

50.00

35.00

150 MTPowder/Year

40.00

24.50

Milk Powder

3000 Tons/Year

225.00

40.00

Non-Dairy Whipping Cream

2 MT/day

210.91

24.34

Non Dairy Whipping Cream

0.00

0.00

Pasteurised Milk

0.00

0.00

Pasteurised Milk & Cheese

30000 Ltrs Milk for Process

504.01

34.00

Milk

Preservation

and

Marketing to Whole Sales

(in pouch packing) by UHT
Technique

Milk Toffee

Milk

Soluble

&

Insoluble

Powder

160

Paneer

From

Milk

(Soya
400 MT of Fresh Soya Milk Paneer/ Year

50.00

62.00

Pasteurization of Milk

Ghee 12 MT Pasteurised Milk 1500 Tons/Year

42.00

30.66

Skimmed Milk Powder

1 Ton/day

102.62

37.08

5 T.P.D.

152.00

50.00

400 MT of Soya Milk/Year

65.00

41.69

20,000 Ltrs/Day

75.00

30.00

125.00

37.30

0.00

0.00

Milk)

Softy Ice Cream Cone (fully

automatic imported plant)

Soya Milk And Paneer

Sterilisation

of

Double

Toned Milk

Toffee

Candy

&

Milk 500 Kgs 125 MT Hard Candy of Toffee/ 2000

Chocolate

Kgs/of Candies/Day

Ice Cream

60,000 Nos 20 Lts. Milk Can 60,000 Nos 25 Lts

Aluminium Milk Can

Milk Can 36,000 Nos 50 Lts Milk Can 18,000 95.00

67.10

Nos. 100 Lts Milk Can/Year

1.Storage Tank (100 Ltrs) Non-Insulated-8Nos.

2. Ghee Setting Tank (1000 Ltrs) 12 Nos. 3.
Dairy Equipments

Ghee SettingTank (1000 Ltrs) 3 Nos. 4. Double

Can Mixer (100 Kgs/Hr.) 4 Nos 5. Micro
Pulverizer (100 Kgs/Hr.) 4 Nos. 6. Evaporating

161

0.00

0.00

Tank Assorted Size 4 Nos. 7. Butt

1000 Nos-Beds 2000 Nos-Tables 5000 NosDairy

&

Hospital
Chairs 5000 Nos-Curtain Stands 1000 Nos- 105.00

60.07

Equipments
Dust Bins 5000 Nos-Con-tainers/Year

300 Tons Al-Milk Cane 300 Tons Stainless

Milk Can

97.00

41.00

0.00

0.00

40 NOS/day

35.23

39.00

2000 Litrs/day

96.62

29.17

37.04

23.48

Steel Can/Year

Paper Cups For Ice Cream

Cattle

Breeding

&

Dairy

Farm To Produce Milk

Dairy

Farm

And

Dairy

Products

Dairy Farming To Produce

Milk

For

Co-Operative 1300 LTS/day

Society

Milk Powder

3000 Tons/Year

225.00

40.00

Pasteurised Milk

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Plastic Packings for Ghee

Butter Milk

162

Tetra Pack for Milk, Ghee

60,75,000 Tetra packs Printed Bags/Year

150.00

24.24

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

and other Liquids Packaging

Dairy

Farm

Products

&

(Milk,

Dairy
Butter,

Ghee & Paneer)

Soya

bean

Cultivation

Processing

&

(Nutrela,

Panneer & Soya Milk)

WHIPPING CREAM

MILK PROCESSING PLANT (

TONED,

DOUBLE

TONED

MILK,

CREAM,

BUTTER

MILK,

BUTTER

CREAM,

KHOYA, PANEER, GHEE)

STERLIZATION OF DOUBLE
TONED MILK

CREAM FROM MILK

163

PEANUT

MILK,

KEFIR,
0.00

0.00

CAP. 10000 LTRS/DAY

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

POWER PLANT BASED ON -

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

FLAVOURED PEANUT, AND

MILK BEVERAGE

MILK PROCESSING PLANT

Integrated

Dairy

&

Goat

Farming

Milk Pasteurizing Unit

DAIRY

FARMING

WITH

DUNG

BUFFALO

FARM

TO

PRODUCE RAW MILK WITH

GOBAR GAS

PLANT

AND

BOTTLING OF URINE

BUFFALO

FARM

TO

PRODUCE RAW MILK WITH

GOBAR GAS

PLANT

AND

BOTTLING OF URINE

164

Emerging situation

Dairy is currently the top-ranking commodity in India, with the value of output in 2004 at
1.179 billion rupees (US$39 million), which is almost equal to the combined output value of rice
and wheat. Despite the importance of the dairy sector in overall GDP, it receives less
government budgeting than the agriculture sector. Further, there has been no concentrated
investment in the development of value-added or innovative products, nor any serious effort to
support and modernize the informal sector.

In light of the increasing demand driven by the growing population, higher incomes and
more health consciousness, the slowdown in dairy industry growth is severely worrisome. Based
on estimates by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), the demand for milk is likely
to reach 180 million tons by 2022. To supply the market, an average incremental increase of 5
million tons per annum over the next 15 years is required a doubling of the average incremental
rate achieved over the past 15 years. In the absence of sufficient increased production, India will
need to rely on the world market for imports. And because of the huge volume required, it will
affect global milk prices. Thus, focusing on areas for local dairy development is critical.

Traditionally, the policy environment has favoured the expansion of cooperatives, which
ultimately crowded out the private sector. However, liberalization of the sector in recent years
has encouraged private investment in dairying. In 2002, the Milk and Milk Products Order
(MMPO) ushered in major policy changes friendly to the private sector and a momentum of
activity that is likely to increase dramatically in the coming years. Large Indian and
multinational corporations, such as Reliance, Pepsi and Coca-Cola, are planning significant
investments.
165

Nowadays, both the private sector and the cooperatives drive the value chains. Because
of the many unsuccessful cooperatives in the country, other models of dairy farmer organizations
are being explored, such as Mutually Aided Cooperative Societies (MACS) and producer
companies.

Millions of small and marginal farmers in dairying who own two to three animals and
produce an average of 5 litres comprise a critical portion of Indias dairy industry. Livestock
development in general and dairy development activities in particular are key components of
pro-poor development strategies because livestock distribution is much more equitable than land
distribution. Thus, changes in the dairying environment have important implications for the
smallholder farmers and for poverty reduction.
The following characterizes Indias dairy farming and its relevance to inclusive growth:

Small and marginal farmers own 33 percent of land and about 60 percent of female cattle
and buffaloes.

Some 75 percent of rural households own, on average, two to four animals.

Dairying is a part of the farming system, not a separate enterprise. Feed is mostly residual
from crops, whereas cow dung is important for manure.

Dairying provides a source of regular income, whereas income from agriculture is

seasonal. This regular source of income has a huge impact on minimizing risks to
income. There is some indication that areas where dairy is well developed have less
incidence of farmer suicide.

About a third of rural incomes are dependent upon dairying.

Livestock is a security asset to be sold in times of crisis.

166

Factors affecting the competitiveness of the dairy sector

To assess the dairy sectors competiveness, a performance analysis looked at five factors:
demand conditions, market structure, factor conditions, related supporting industries, and
government and the enabling environment.21

Demand conditions

Demand for dairy products in India is likely to grow significantly in the coming years,
driven by more consumers, higher incomes and greater interest in nutrition. Consumption of
processed and packaged dairy products is increasing in urban areas. Because of the increasing
competition from the private sector, several national and international brands have entered the
market and expanded consumers expectation of quality although only among a small
proportion of the population. In many parts of the country, people still prefer unpacked and
unprocessed milk delivered by a local milkman because of its taste and the perception of
freshness. The price elasticity for milk is high, thus demand for milk is very sensitive to price
changes

167

TABLE III.6 SHOWING THE DEMAND CONDITIONS FOR DAIRY PRODUCTS

Demand conditions
Market size and growth

Market growth is due to high per capita consumption,

increasing population and health consciousness

Consumption patterns

Consumption of processed and packaged dairy products is

increasing in urban areas

Consumption patterns

Unpackaged milk is still preferred because of taste and

price

Sophistication of consumers

Consumer awareness on product quality is increasing but

in a very small portion of the population

Receptivity to new products

Mostly urban consumers have a very low but increasing

interest in new products

Price elasticity

Price elasticity is high

Impact of market opening on demand Consumers now have a variety of quality products

168

TABLE III.7 SHOWING THE MARKET STRUCTURE OF DAIRY PRODUCTS

Market Structure
Performance

Still large share of produce; 85% of marketable surplus

goes through informal channel
Quality of milk through informal channel is an issue and to
some extent in formal channel as well

Competitive structure

Little competition to cooperatives because private sector

was not allowed in the sector until recently
Entry of supermarkets in retailing of milk is increasing the
competitive structure

Governance (value chain type)

Governance of cooperative structures is constaining

efficiency and expansion

Role of "lead" or organizing firms

Role of lead agency has been hampered by government

interference in cooperatives

Farmer organization

Immense

scope

for

improving

management

and

governance through farmer organizations

Marketing

chain

capacity

and
Scope for enhancing efficiency of distribution

efficiency
Distribution channels

Cooperatives have a well-developed distribution channel

in urban areas

How market signals are conveyed or Government and political interference in price setting,
distorted

limits prices being determined by market forces.

169

Market structure

Until 2002, cooperatives traditionally were the dominant players in the formal sector.
With liberalization of the dairy industry, private investment has increased quite significantly.
However, the organized sectors share in milk procurement is very low because a large
proportion of the milk and milk products are sold through the informal channel (Table 3). The
informal demand absorbs approximately 41 percent of the milk and milk products produced in
the country, accounting for about 75 percent of the marketable surplus of milk. The formal
channel, with its packaged milk and dairy products, accounts for only about 25 percent of the
marketable surplus, which is about 15 percent of production.

The informal sector consists of the village milk vendors who procure loose milk from
farmers and sell it in urban and peri-urban areas directly to consumers, small private processors
or hotels. The milk vendors also may sell processed products, such as paneer or separated cream.
The quality of the vendors milk and milk products is not guaranteed. Largely sold in loose form,
it is often adulterated with several additives to control spoilage.

170

TABLE III.8 SHOWING THE CHANNELS THROUGH WHICH MILK FLOWS

Flow of milk through different channels

Share

of
Total production

marketable

% of production

Use
(million tons)

surplus
100%

100

45%

45

55%

55

Home consumption
Marketable surplus sold in urban and
rural markets (informal and formal)
Sold in urban markets as loose

34.5%

19%

19
unpackaged milk
Sold as processed products through

40%

22%

22
informal markets
Sold as packaged milk through formal

14.5%

8%

8
markets
Sold as packaged milk products through

12.7 %

7%

7
formal markets

Cooperatives are the central players in the formal dairy sector. The cooperatives have a
three-tier structure i) primary societies at the village level, ii) unions at the district level and iii)
federations at the state level. Currently, there are 14 federations in India.

171

Of the 14 major state cooperatives in the country, 10 have state government equity, of
which 6 have government equity in excess of 51 percent. Twelve of the 14 cooperatives have
government officers as managing directors who are appointed by the state government. It is not
uncommon for these officials to change up to three times a year. Because of such governance,
cooperatives are mere parastatals and do not work in the true spirit of cooperatives with elected
farmer representatives and professionals who run the organization.

Factor conditions

The quality of animals is critical in determining its milk productivity and hence overall
production. Currently, low productivity per animal hinders development of the dairy sector.
Despite being the worlds largest milk producer, Indias productivity per animal is very low, at
987 kg per lactation, compared with the global average of 2 038 kg per lactation.

The low productivity is a result of ineffective cattle and buffalo breeding programmes,
limited extension and management on dairy enterprise development, traditional feeding practices
that are not based on scientific feeding methods, and limited availability and affordability of
quality feed and fodder. In addition, the limited supply of quality animals is exacerbated by
policies limiting interstate movement of animals. Indigenous cattle and buffalo make up 45
percent of the countrys total milch population, in contrast to the cross-bred cows at 10 percent.

Animal health and breeding services provision, veterinary infrastructure development and
vaccinations are the responsibility of the state government. These services have traditionally
been provided for free or at a very subsidized rate. In the past few years, there has been
increasing awareness that the state pays heavily to offer these services, which are easily available

172

to farmers (Ahuja et al.). Consequently, many states have instituted partial or full-cost recovery
fees for providing the services.

In addition to the State Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, the
milk cooperatives and NGOs (BAIF, JK Trust) provide services in many states. So do trained
private sector AI technicians, although for a fee. As well, state livestock development agencies
are being set up as autonomous bodies to offer services in animal breeding in the form of
procurement, production and distribution of breeding inputs (such as semen and liquid nitrogen),
training and promotional activities.

Despite these initiatives, the availability of services remains limited. Currently, AI

services cover only 15 percent of the breed able animals. Cattle and buffalo breeding programs
have been initiated but have not had the desired impact because of a lack of coordination
between the different state departments. And extension activities in dairy management are
woefully lacking. Farmers have not been able to take advantage of the potential of their animals
because they lack information on feeding and management practices. Extension, especially for
women involved in livestock rearing, would enhance dairy production considerably.

Crop residues are the single largest bulk feed material available to farmers for feeding
livestock, specifically ruminants. They include coarse straws, fine straws, leguminous straws,
pulses straws and sugarcane tops. Fodder from common property resources is another major
source of feed for animals. But lack of efficient management of common property resources is a
major constraint in availability of these resources for fodder. The area under cultivated fodder
production is limited only to 5 percent of the total cultivable land. In the states of Haryana,
Punjab, Gujarat and some parts of Rajasthan, land use for green fodder production is estimated at
173

10 percent or more. There is a need for restructuring the land use strategy to elevate the overall
proportion of cultivable lands for fodder production.

Concentrates used for fodder include coarse grains, such as maize, sorghum, bajra and
other millets, and other cereal by-products, such as rice bran/polish and various oil meals,
including groundnut cake, mustard cake, coconut cake, soybean meal, cotton seed meal and
sesame cake. The escalating price of feed ingredients is a major cause for concern. In many
states, cooperatives are involved in producing feed concentrate and selling to farmers at
subsidized rates.

Scarcity of fodder resources is likely to be a major constraint in the development of the

dairy sector unless adequate measures are undertaken to augment them. Another important issue
regarding feed is the lack of regulations to ensure quality. In the absence of a coherent policy, all
kinds of substandard feeds are available in the market.

Formal/informal credit: Lack of access to credit to expand the herd is a critical problem
for farmers. There is little access to formal credit through the cooperatives. Informal credit is
available from private traders and agents of private companies, but the interest rate is very high.
And these loans may or may not be linked to dairy activity. When taking a loan from a trader, the
farmer is then tied to selling the milk to that trader, often at a low rate. The Working Group
Report on Animal Husbandry emphasizes the low or non-availability of credit as a primary
constraint in livestock sector activity, indicating that: Public sector lending is abysmally very
low. The commercial banks are not favorably disposed to providing credit to livestock farmers
and the cooperative credit system is very weak, resulting in excessive dependence of livestock
farmers on informal sources [and] usually at exorbitant interest rates. Efforts should be put on
174

TABLE III.9 SHOWING THE FACTOR CONDITIONS

Factor conditions
Herd
Herd inventory

Very large number of indigenous animals with low

productivity and a small portion of cross-breeds

Breed

Lack of policy focus on strengthening indigenous breeds

Very poor awareness of quality feed, which hinders
productivity

Feed

Farmers not interested in quality feed because of the low

price of milk
Increasing feed costs

Veterinary medicine

Availability is not an issue

Veterinary medicine costs

Duplicate or cheap medicines

Human capacity
Farmer technical capacity

Knowledge and new techniques are not accessible

Support services technical capacity Accessibility to good quality veterinary services is an issue
in many parts of the country
Organization
capacity

and

managerial Organizational and managerial

cooperatives is very poor

Entrepreneurial capacity

capacity

of

farmer

Entrepreneurial capacity is hindered by a low capacity to

take risks

Credit or finance market

Formal credit mechanisms

Access to formal credit mechanisms is very poor

Informal credit mechanisms

Accessible but at very high interest

External economies
Transmission of learning

Very poor extension support services, leading to very poor

knowledge transfer

Social capital and trust

Strong social capital and trust in the villages, which can

sustain dairy farmer organizations if properly managed

175

correcting these distortions and ensure timely availability of inputs and services, including credit
to livestock.

Vaccines/medicines: The Government and the private sector are involved in producing
medicines and vaccines. However, quality control is a critical issue. An important policy
question is whether the government should be involved in the manufacturing and production of
vaccines or should it instead take on a regulatory role to ensure quality and availability at a
reasonable price.

Related supporting industries

TABLE III.10 SHOWING RELATED AND SUPPORTING INDUSTRIES TO DAIRY
INDUSTRY

Related and supporting industries

Processing capacity

Lack of processing capacity in the country, including

primary processing by bulk chilling

Processing capacity

There are government subsidies on bulk chilling and

processing infrastructure

Transportation and distribution

Because of low productivity, transportation costs for

procurement are high

Dairy farmer services

Availability of health and breeding services could be

enhanced; extension is almost non-existent

Specialized finance and credit

Exists on paper but is very difficult to access

Relevant research capacity and use

Good research capacity

176

Strong supporting industries are critical for the development of any industry. In the case of
dairying, the National Dairy Research Institute pursues research and education in all aspects of
dairying: microbiology, chemistry, technology, engineering, animal genetics and breeding,
livestock production and management, animal nutrition, animal physiology, dairy economics and
dairy extension education.

Processing capacity: At present, there are 678 registered dairy processing units processing 1215
percent, or 26.63 tons, of the milk produced in the country each year. Of the total units registered
under the MMPO, 403 are private dairies processing around 11.83 tons per year, whereas 212
cooperative dairies process 10.36 tons per year. The remaining 63 government plants process
4.44 tons per year. These dairy plants are registered in the different states of India. There is
immense scope to increase the processing capacity and direct a greater share of milk and milk
products through the formal channel.

Primary processing is another factor in need of critical attention to ensure the quality of milk
through the supply chain. In addition to the Clean Milk Programme and other rural development
schemes, the Government has provided subsidies for bulk chilling and processing infrastructure
to support the dairy industry. But credit remains a problem; specialized credit exists on paper but
is difficult to access for dairying. There is significant private sector investment in feed
manufacturing and the manufacturing of medicines and vaccines.

Government and the enabling environment

The dairy sector in India has traditionally been highly regulated. The government projects
and programmes in place for enhancing dairy development include subsidies for developing

177

infrastructure for milk processing and testing. The Clean Milk Production Programme is a
centrally sponsored scheme that is being implemented by the State Department of Animal
Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries with several objectives: i) the creation and strengthening of
necessary infrastructure for the production of quality milk and milk products at the farm level up
to the points of consumption; ii) improvement of milking techniques; and iii) training to enhance
awareness on the importance of hygienic milk production. Several other rural development
initiatives support dairying, such as through the District Rural Development Agency and
womens self-help groups.

An area of government support that has not been capitalized on so far is the investment in
promoting the nutritional aspects of milk, particularly pasteurized milk versus loose milk.

The policy history

Until 1991, the dairying sector was licensed under the Industries Development and Regulation
Act (IRDA, 1951). This resulted in preferential treatment given to milk cooperatives that were
outside the purview of the legislation. In 1991, the dairy sector was swept up in the move to
liberalize the economy. Consequently, the IRDA was replaced by the Milk and Milk Product
Order in 1992, which contained the following provisions:

1. The main objective of the MMPO is to maintain and increase the supply of liquid milk of
desired quality in the interests of the general public and to regulate the production,
processing and distribution of milk and milk products.

178

2. Any person or dairy plant handling more than 10 000 litres of milk per day or 500 tons of
milk solid per annum needs to be registered, with the registering authority appointed by
the central Government.
3. Every holder of a registration certificate can collect or procure milk only from the milk
shed assigned under the registration certificate. The milk shed, is defined as "an area
geographically demarcated by the registering authority for the collection of milk or milk
product by the holder of a registration certificate''.

Amendments were made to MMPO in 2002 to further liberalize the sector and encourage
dairy entrepreneurs from the private sector. The milk shed concept was abandoned, allowing for
milk supplies to be procured from any area.

Traditionally, the cooperatives have not had much competition from the private sector. In the
liberalized environment characterized by open procurement of milk, there is incentive for private
players to invest in the sector. Consequently, many agencies, organizations and agents have
started buying milk. But a major difference is that they are not backward investing in dairy
development activities through the offering of producer services. In the coming years, the lack of
involvement in dairy development by the various players is likely to constrain further growth of
the industry.

In this environment, dairy farmer organizations and cooperatives will have a strong role to
play in supporting dairy development activities. If they were to establish higher prices to farmers,
for instance, the private sector and other players would be forced to pay at least that much as
well.

179

Policy and regulatory issues

TABLE III.11 SHOWING ENABLING ENVIRONMENT
National sector regulation
Key regulatory actors (ministries)

Department of Animal Husbandry is under the Ministry of

Agriculture, hence focus on livestock is underemphasized,
particularly in light of the high value of the sector.

Price regulation

Rice setting by cooperatives

Food safety

Regulated through the Milk and Milk Products Order

Informal regulations

Very difficult to control quality in traditional channels

Huge premium on fat content of milk compared with formal
regulations; thus buffalo milk fetches much higher price

Formal sector support

Domestic sector (national)

Approaches being taken to modernize the sector

Subsidy support

Various subsidies available for milk processing and testing

infrastructure

Inward investment promotion

Very little investment on the promotion of health or quality

of milk

Provincial/local
Key regulatory actors (ministries)

State Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and

Fisheries is the implementing agency at the state level

Informal regulation & transparency Lack of milk testing equipment and thus transparency,
leading to low payments
Formal sector support

Availability of veterinary services; paravets are working

with the Department of Animal Husbandry. Dairying and
Fisheries

Formal sector support

Availability of services in remote areas through the

government

Donor/NGO roles

Donor agencies are very actively involved in livestock

sector development
180

Agriculture is a state responsibility in India, and the State Department of Animal

Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, within the Ministry of Agriculture, is responsible for the
dairy activities. Consequently, the focus of the activities and budgetary allocation is biased
towards agriculture rather than livestock.

There are several issues related to milk pricing policies that require serious review and
reconsideration. Because cooperatives are mostly managed by civil servants, there is some
government influence in determining milk prices. But the state cooperatives are supposed to base
the price paid to farmers on the fat and solid-not-fat (SNF) content of milk. In the case of the
better-managed cooperatives in Gujarat, the system works that way.22 However, it is less the
practice elsewhere. As noted previously, the village society president often wields a lot of power
and determines the price randomly, without testing the fat or SNF content.

SUMMARY AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

Milk processing industry in India derives its significance from its high potential for
employment at low capital cost, use of local resources, possibilities for forward and backward
linkages and its scope for earning more output. With a share of about 14 per cent in world milk
production. Milk has achieved a unique status in terms of its output value exceeding Rs.1,00,000
crores and has made a rapid stride both in terms of number of milk producers and quantity of
milk produced.
The milk production in India was 17 million tons in 1950-51. This could meet only 25
per cent of the domestic demand; the remaining 75 per cent of the demand was met by importing
the milk solids. The production was stagnant for two decades till 1970, with annual growth rate
of milk production of one per cent. Thanks to the vision and foresight of Dr.Kurien, in 1970

181

NDDB launched Operation Flood Programme with the objective of ending milk famine in the
country and turning farmers co-operatives into a powerful catalyst for transforming India into a
major milk producer in the world. Further, by providing milk producers a remunerative price
round the year, milk production in India touched 74 million tons in 1997. By the year 2006, India
has emerged as the largest milk producer with a production of 100.9million tons. This is as a
result of Indias White Revolution in milk production.

Also as previously mentioned, the cooperative price becomes the benchmark price for
other buyers (vendors and private dairy agents) and when it is low, so are the other prices paid.
Thus there is no incentive for farmers to sell to the other buyers; only about 15 percent of the
milk is sold this way for the marketing of packaged milk and milk products. Policy efforts should
focus on enforcing testing as the basis for milk pricing. This can be achieved by ensuring
availability of testing machines at all milk collection centres, educating farmers to sell milk only
based on testing and setting up policy norms for all players in the sector to collect milk only
when it has been tested.

Another important aspect of milk pricing is the huge premium on the fat content
compared to the non-fat solid content. Thus buffalo milk fetches a much higher price than cow
milk, which has lower fat content.

The Dairy Industry has a bright future in India and is a viable alternative for farmers
because of low cost of production. There is a huge potential for capturing the large unorganized
market base in dairy.

182

TABLE III.12
SHOWING INDIAN MILK PRODUCTION BY STATE (IN 000 TONS)

State
All India
Andhra Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh
Assam
Bihar
Goa
Gujarat
Haryana
Himachal Pradesh
J&K
Karnataka
Kerala
Madhya Pradesh
Maharashtra
Manipur
Meghalaya
Mizoram
Nagaland
Orissa
Punjab
Rajasthan
Sikkim
Tamilnadu
Tripura
Uttar Pradesh
West Bengal
A & N Islands
Chandigarh
D & N Haveli
Daman & Diu
Delhi
Lakshadweep
Pondicherry
Chattisgarh
Uttaranchal
Jharkhand
National Dairy Development Board
http://www.nddb.org/statistics.html

2008-2009
1,08,463
9,570
24
763
5934
59
8396
5745
884
1498
4538
2441
6855
7455
78
77
17
53
1672
9387
9491
49
5673
96
19537
4176
26
47
4
1
285
2
46
908
1230
1466
(2010).

National

183

Statistics.

Retrieved

16

Jun

2011,

from

CURRENT SITUATION OF DAIRY PROCESSING INDUSTRY IN ANDHRA PRADESH

The primary occupation of the people in Andhra Pradesh is agriculture. The total
reported population of Andhra Pradesh is reported to be around 9.5 crores. People of rural areas
and the landless agricultural labours take up dairying as a source of supplementary income. The
main reason underlying the supply of milk to the dairies by the people is that milk cannot be
preserved for longer periods of time further sophisticated technology is required to preserve the
milk.

The Milk production in Andhra Pradesh has gone up from 72.57 Lakhs MTs in the year
2004 to 112.56 Lakhs MTs in the year 2011. For sustaining further development, Dairy Industry
has to cope with the rapid transformations that are taking place in Indian Economy.

Our Dairy farmers are being benefited from different Dairy Development schemes in
India. State has spent about 93 Crores for development of dairy activities through APDDCF
during the last seven years on various schemes like Pasu Kranti Patham, CM Package, PM
Package, IDDP, RKVY etc to increase the milk production and productivity by providing
suitable infrastructure, forward and backward linkages for Milk producers in Milk procurement,
providing marketing facilities and capacity building etc. By implementing the above schemes,
Federation is procuring an additional milk of about 70000 and about 40000 milk producers were
benefited under various programmes.

Under National Dairy Plan, proposals have been made to increase the Milk Production
and productivity further and increasing the organized sectors share in Milk marketing.
Establishment of new BMCUs and expansion of marketing facilities in II tier and III tier cities

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with an outlay of Rs.723.00 Crores is proposed in the coming next 4 years. Under MGNREGS
program, it is planned to mobilize the villages to be self sufficient in fodder production through
development of fodder nurseries, bund plantation, perennial fodder crops and fodder
conservation with an outlay of Rs.965.00 Crores in the coming next 4 years.

Further RKVY Project functioning since 2007-08 is providing initiatives in dairy

development activities. 68 Bulk Milk Cooling Units were established duly covering 1318 new
villages. Modernization of the Milk Products Factory, Hyderabad has been taken up in this
scheme to improve the Milk Processing and quality apart from establishment of One UHT Milk
Packing station. Further proposals have been made for additional milk chilling and processing
facilities by establishing Three

New Milk Chilling Centers- at Madakashira and Kalyanadurgam in Anantapur District &
Polakal in Medak District. Similarly Special initiatives will be taken up for development of dairy
sectors in Warangal and West Godavari districts by further establishments of New BMCUs.

Access to significant technological innovations, development and creation of

infrastructural facilities were also given considerable boost to dairy development. Animal health
and quantity breading practices were also contributed for further development of dairy activities.
This made our country to reach the distinction of being the highest Milk producer in the world
with an average growth rate of 4-6 percent per annum. In terms of Milk Production, more than
110 million tones of milk in India during 2010-11 and Andhra Pradesh stands at 2nd position in
India. This helped in improving quality of life of the rural public apart from employment
generation amongst the rural people. The State Government of Andhra Pradesh is planning to
launch a state wide milk mission with a target to increase milk production.
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MACS in Andhra Pradesh (AP)

Dairy activities started at the district level in 1971. The originally chosen district union was
registered under the Andhra Pradesh Cooperative Societies Act (1964). After the introduction of
the MACS Act (1995), the district union opted for registration as a MACS to acquire better
functional autonomy for servicing its farmer members. The union is currently collecting 60 000
litres of milk per day from 650 villages, though it likely to increase up to 100 000 litres in the
next two to three years.

The MACS have a two-tier operation: at the village and district levels. A village society with
elected officers manages operations at the lower level; an elected board of directors managers the
district society. The village and district societies each registered separately, and each has the
freedom to use its own profits.

The union provides its members with a range of services required for dairy development activity:

organizing thrift and credit cooperative society to facilitate the financial assistance for
buying milch cattle;

organizing AI services through an NGO;

making cross-breed or graded animals for farmers to purchase;

providing inputs such as concentrate feed, fodder seed, fodder slips and mineral mixtures
at subsidized rates to members;

supplying breeding bulls to societies;

providing veterinary health facility, de-worming and vaccination to the animals of

members;

186

compensating members in the event of the death of an animal with either a grant or loan;

providing insurance coverage to members.

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