India’s share in global dairy sector set to increase up to 33% in next decade, says Union Home Minister

Gandhinagar: Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah said India’s share in the global dairy sector is all set to increase up to 33 per cent in the coming years. Addressing the concluding session of the 49th Dairy Industries Conference at Gandhinagar, Mr. Shah said the Government is planning to establish two lakh Rural dairies at the Panchayat level across the country which will help increase the annual growth rate of the Indian dairy Sector from the current 6.6 per cent to 13.80 per cent.

Highlighting the role of cooperative milk federations in rural economic development and women empowerment, the minister said nearly nine crore rural families in India are dependent on the dairy sector for their livelihood. Mr. Shah also expressed hope that with the establishment of multistate cooperatives for the promotion of dairy products, India’s dairy exports are likely to be increased by five times. The Minister said the dairy sector in India is a symbol of Self-reliant India and India is the largest milk-producing country in the world.

The Minister also presented the Verghese Kurien award to dairy industrialists and leaders for their notable contributions. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said the State government is encouraging value addition in the dairy sector. He said Gujarat exports milk products of over 1200 crores per year. Secretary of the Ministry of Animal Husbandry and Dairy, Rajesh Kumar Singh, and Chairman of Indian Dairy Association RS Sodhi were also present on the occasion.

A large number of Dairy industrialists, cattle-rearing farmers, and cooperative leaders participated in the three-day conference.