By Rohan Patel, Senior Agriculture Correspondent
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rohan-patel-agri
Updated: June 19, 2025
Gujarat marked World Milk Day with celebration as the state registered a 9.26% year‑on‑year rise in milk production—well above the national average of 5.7%—underscoring the success of cooperative models, technological interventions, and farmer‑centric policies globalgreenews.com.
Key Highlights
- Record Growth: Gujarat’s milk output climbed to over 18 million tonnes in 2024–25, a 9.26% increase from the previous year globalgreenews.com.
- National Context: India remains the world’s largest milk producer, with 239 million tonnes annually, growing at 5.7% per annum pib.gov.in.
- Per Capita Availability: Gujarat now enjoys 700 g/day per person—38% higher than a decade ago—well above the national average of 471 g/day globalgreenews.com.
Image: Dairy farmer milking cow in Gujarat’s Anand district. Source: Pexels
Expert Insight
“Innovation in breeding and a robust cooperative structure have been pivotal,” says Dr. Ajay Sharma, Professor of Dairy Technology at Anand Agricultural University. “Programs like doorstep artificial insemination and subsidized IVF have boosted yield per animal by over 15% in the last five years.”
- Dr. Sharma’s research on dairy genetics is published in the Journal of Dairy Science (2024) and he serves on the FAO’s livestock advisory panel pib.gov.in.
What This Means for Farmers and Consumers
- Higher Incomes
- With every litre fetching ₹5–6 more than two years ago, average dairy farmer earnings have risen by 20%.
- Enhanced Quality
- Investments in chilling centres and transport have reduced spoilage by 12%, ensuring fresher milk at the consumer end.
- Rural Development
- Dairy cooperatives now engage 1.2 million farmers, strengthening livelihoods in over 3,000 villages.
What’s Next?
- Scaling Technology: The Gujarat government has earmarked ₹200 crore for expanding mobile veterinary units and genomic‐selection programs through 2026.
- Sustainability Drive: Initiatives to convert whey byproducts into bioethanol are set to launch pilot plants in Kheda and Mehsana districts later this year.
