Uttar Pradesh has maintained its dominant position in milk production. As per the Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2023-24, India’s total milk production has reached 239.30 million tons, with UP leading the nation by contributing approximately 16 per cent of the total output — the highest among all states.
Following UP are Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Punjab. This data highlights UP’s continued supremacy in milk production.
A key reason for UP’s continued dominance in milk production is the steps taken for the welfare of the cattle farmers at both the state and district levels. The government has introduced awards such as Nand Baba and Gokul awards to honour progressive cattle farmers.
Recently, the Australian government expressed its willingness to collaborate with the UP government to boost milk production through breed improvement. To support this effort, the Yogi Adityanath government is implementing sex selection technology, which boasts a 90 per cent likelihood of producing female calves. Additionally, the upcoming Government Veterinary College in Gorakhpur is expected to play a significant role in strengthening the breed improvement initiatives.
The slogan ‘Prosperity Through Cooperation’ is the government’s guiding principle, highlighting the transformative potential of collaboration in the dairy sector. The success of Amul, the world’s strongest dairy brand, stands as a testament to the power of cooperation, and the government is focusing on implementing this model.
Recently, the UP’s Pradeshik Cooperative Dairy Federation (PCDF) presented its plan to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. During the presentation, the chief minister emphasised setting clear work targets and establishing accountability at every level within milk unions. He underlined the need to enhance milk collection capacity while improving milk quality testing processes.
The chief minister further directed that employees associated with these committees must receive proper training and essential quality testing equipment. Additionally, he supported fostering healthy competition among milk committees and strengthening communication with cattle rearers. These steps are expected to boost dairy union productivity, improve milk quality and enhance farmers’ income.
Most cattle rearers are small landholders or landless farmers, with their milch animals serving as a reliable source of livelihood. Any positive step in the field of animal husbandry directly benefits these farmers, who remain a top priority for the Yogi government. The chief minister demonstrated this commitment by waiving loans of up to Rs 1 lakh for small and marginal farmers during his first cabinet meeting. Promoting animal husbandry is an integral part of these efforts.
In addition, the Yogi government is focusing on converting cow dung, cow urine, and other by-products into economically viable products. The chief minister has given a clear instruction to establish compressed bio gas (CBG) plants using cow dung. The state government will provide land for these projects, further supporting the economic welfare of cattle rearers.
Furthermore, the dairy sector has emerged as a powerful tool for empowering women, with the highest number of women actively engaged in this industry. However, there is a need to connect even more women to dairy-related activities to ensure widespread benefits.
Women’s groups are already setting exemplary examples in this field, such as the Balini Milk Producer Company in the Bundelkhand region. The chief minister has given clear instructions to boost the participation of women in milk cooperatives and milk unions in the future.
With the continuous increase in milk production, the availability of milk per person has risen significantly, contributing to improved public health. In 2021, the availability of milk per person per gram was 321 grams, which has now increased to 471 grams in 2024.
With an annual growth rate of milk production at 3.78 per cent, Uttar Pradesh remains the leading contributor to this increase, maintaining its position as the largest milk-producing state in the country.