The Indian Dairy Association celebrated World Milk Day today at its headquarters in R. K. Puram, New Delhi. The event witnessed the presence of prominent figures from the dairy sector and esteemed dignitaries, gathering to express their solidarity with dairy farmers and consumers. Dr. Raj Paroda, former Director General of ICAR and Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Government of India, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, shedding light on significant achievements and advancements in the dairy sector. The Krishi Jagran team was on-site to capture and share the spirit of this important occasion.
The event commenced with a warm welcome extended to Dr. Raj Paroda, followed by introductions from participants. Notable attendees included Ajay Kumar Khosla, Vice President of IDA; Dr. Rahul Saxena, Chairman of IDA-NZ; Prof. Balbir S. Beniwal of IDA-NZ; and Hariom Gulati, Secretary General of IDA, among other distinguished personalities.
Dr. Raj Paroda expressed his pleasure in attending the event and praised the work of the IDA. In his speech, he stated, "On this World Milk Day, we acknowledge the remarkable strides we've made. India is now the world's largest milk producer, achieving self-sufficiency in the milk sector and making a substantial contribution to the nation's GDP, with the livestock sector alone contributing 25-30 percent in agriculture GDP. Moreover, the availability of milk has improved across the country. This milk revolution has been facilitated by supportive policies and the dedicated efforts of IARI and other related institutions."
Furthermore, Dr. Paroda emphasized the cooperative growth of the dairy sector and the vital role played by smallholder farmers. “This success is built on mutual trust among them, and with increased trust, there will be more opportunities for cooperation. However, I must point out that this trust is lacking in states like Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Bihar. To foster further growth in the dairy sector, technology intervention is essential. The growth rate in the dairy sector is very high, and even landless farmers can earn a good income by selling milk," he added.
Shifting focus to the broader agricultural landscape, Dr. Paroda highlighted the crucial role of the livestock sector in doubling farmers' incomes. He highlighted the need for a reorientation of farming systems to include livestock, fisheries, and forestry, alongside conserving genetic resources and indigenous breeds. Dr. Paroda urged for increased efficiency in the dairy system to boost milk yield, expressing concern over low milk processing and export rates despite India's leading milk producer status.
“It's noteworthy that, despite having a substantial buffalo population, we still import mozzarella cheese. We need to address this issue and strive for self-sufficiency rather than being content with merely being the largest milk producer. For instance, Brazil has a 100 percent success rate in artificial insemination, while the USA and Europe have rates between 60-70 percent. In contrast, India's success rate is alarmingly low at around 30 percent. This is a clear indication that we need to improve our practices and focus on enhancing our indigenous breeds." Dr Paroda informed.
Dr. Paroda emphasized the urgent need to improve indigenous breeds and enhance the efficiency of artificial insemination in India. He called upon the private sector, through Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, to support dairy farmers by establishing necessary facilities. He stressed the importance of creating an organized and efficient milk production system, achievable through entrepreneurial efforts with proper institutional support.
The event concluded with a 30-minute discussion where participants shared insights and solutions to various issues. The event concluded with a group photograph, capturing the collaborative spirit and camaraderie of the attendees.
