Union Minister for Fisheries, Livestock and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh on Tuesday released the Basic Livestock Statistics Report 2024, which showed that India’s milk production increased by 3.78% to 239.30 million tons in 2023-24. In addition, meat and egg production increased by 4.95% and 3.17% respectively.
Promotion of export of dairy products.
Although milk production growth has slowed in recent years (5.77% in 2021-22, 3.83% in 2022-23), India remains the world’s largest milk producer. On the occasion of National Milk Day, the Minister stated that now is the time to promote the export of dairy products.
16% drop in milk production
According to the report, milk production from foreign cattle has increased by 8% and that from native cattle by 44.76%. However, buffalo milk production has decreased by 16%.
4.95% increase in meat production
India’s egg production will increase by 3.17% to 142.77 billion in 2023-24, resulting in availability of 103 eggs per capita. In addition, meat production increased by 4.95% and is estimated to reach 10.25 million tons.
foot and mouth disease
Union Minister Singh appealed to dairy farmers to vaccinate their animals and said the government was providing free vaccines. It aims to eliminate foot and mouth disease and brucellosis by 2030, which will help increase exports.
India’s dairy sector leads the world
State Minister SP Singh Baghel highlighted the need to increase average milk production per animal, while Livestock Secretary Alka Upadhyay said India’s dairy sector is a world leader, but there is more potential.
Average production growth around 6%
GCMMF director general Jayan Mehta said the average growth in milk production in the last 10 years has been around 6%, which is higher than the global average. He said milk production depends on many factors such as monsoon.
