Rabobank’s annual Global Dairy Top 20 highlights the results of industry leaders in one of the world’s most valuable food sectors. The combined turnover of the Global Dairy Top 20 companies jumped by 7.4% in US dollar terms, following the prior year’s gain of 9.3%. In euro terms, the combined turnover increased by a significant 21% due to the combination of a stronger US dollar, inflation, and tight market conditions during most of 2022, with many companies reporting record-high revenues in their local currencies. Amul has moved up by one step in 2023 becoming the 12th largest dairy. The top three companies were Lactalis, Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), and Nestle.
The workforce of 7 million engaged exclusively in the rearing of cattle and buffalo, 69 percent of them are female workers, which is 5.72 percent of the total female workforce in the country of which 93 percent live in rural areas. The milk-consuming population has been consistently rising in the country both in rural and urban areas. The liquid milk market represents about half of the total dairy market in the country. Of the total liquid milk market, the share of the organized sector has increased from 32% to 41% in the last 3 years. It is estimated that the share of the organized sector will reach 54 % by 2026. NitiAayog estimates that the country is expected to increase its milk production to 330 million metric tonnes in 2033-34 from the current level of 221.06 million metric tonnes so that in coming years there is a possibility of India becoming the contributor of 33 percent of global milk production.
The frictionless credit initiative being piloted by the Reserve Bank of India is helping lenders slash their customer acquisition cost by a whopping 70 percent, while for borrowers the saving is 6 percent of the loan amount. The pilot started with an all-digital KCC (Kisan credit card) lending, developed by the RBI Innovation Hub on the public tech platform, in Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh this April. The pilot has been extended to four more states — Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Gujarat (for dairy farmers) from August.
Suzuki Motor Corporation inked a pact with National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), and Banas Dairy to set up four biogas plants in Gujarat with an investment of around Rs. 230 crore. The project is aimed at making fuel for automobiles by refining methane from biogas, which is generated by fermenting cow dung.
The Uttar Pradesh government has launched the NandiniKrishakSamriddhiYojana under the Nand Baba Mission to improve the breed of cattle and increase milk production in the state. The scheme aims to improve the breed of cows in order to enhance milk production and raise the income of dairy farmers. Under the scheme, Sahiwal, Gir, Tharparkar, and Gangatiri breeds of milch cows are included. The government has estimated a cost of Rs 62.5 lakh for establishing a unit of 25 milch cows under the scheme. In the first phase of the scheme, the government will provide subsidies to those beneficiaries setting up 35 units of 25 milch cows, on purchase of cows, their conservation as well as their maintenance. This subsidy will be given in three phases.
Jammu and Kashmir is home to a thriving bovine industry, with about 31.45 lakh bovines the region accounts for 1.04% of India’s total bovine population. As per ISS-2020-21, the annual milk production in J&K is 25.94 lakh MT and the average annual milk production per cow in the region stands at 2380 liter, which is higher than the national average. The milk economy in J&K is valued at Rs 9080 cr which plays a crucial role in the UT’s agri-economy. The dairy industry in J&K holds immense potential for UT’s economy, providing employment opportunities and contributing to the local population’s well-being. This industry is anticipated to grow significantly over the next few years due to the state’s low per capita availability of milk and rising demand for dairy products.
Directing owners of dairy farms and gaushalas to get its consent for operations, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has asked them to adopt necessary safeguards and ensure compliance with revised environmental guidelines or face fines. This comes as the majority of gaushalas and dairies continue to discharge dung and wastewater into drains, leading to water pollution. The consent includes undertaking that the dairies and farms would treat wastewater before releasing it into sewers and stop dumping bovine dung. The PPCB approval would be given only if the units would collect dung from the sheds at regular intervals.