Gujarat’s milk procurement hits 250 lakh litres per day

INDIA – Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah has confirmed that Gujarat’s dairy sector daily procurement has jumped from 50 lakh litres in 2001-2002 to nearly 250 lakh litres in 2024-2025, achieving a remarkable growth, with milk procurement rising fivefold over the last two decades.

Shah noted that the transformation is visible not only in volume but also in farmer prosperity. Milk procurement prices have increased by 140% in the last 15 years, climbing from ₹400/kg fat to ₹950/kg fat.

This steady increase has supported higher rural incomes while enabling cooperatives to enhance chilling, storage, and procurement capacities.

The Minister attributed Gujarat’s performance to targeted government initiatives combined with cooperative efficiency.

Key schemes include the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD). In the past seven years, Gujarat received ₹315 crore in grants (₹515 crore project outlay). This helped install 2,052 bulk milk coolers, 4,309 automatic milk collection systems, and 1,000 milk adulteration detection machines.

Additionally, there is the Dairy Processing and Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF) and Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF). These programs backed processing plant expansion, UHT lines, and milk powder facilities, boosting Gujarat’s processing and value-addition capacity.

Amit Shah underlined that Gujarat’s success reflects the strength of the Indian cooperative dairy model, pioneered by NDDB and exemplified by Amul. With expanding demand for value-added dairy products, exports, and sustainable practices, Gujarat’s trajectory will serve as a blueprint for dairy growth across India.

According to the National Cooperative Database, Gujarat today has 15,740 functional dairy cooperative societies, with GCMMF (Amul) leading the way.

Amul’s vast network of 18 district unions and 36 lakh farmer members enables the procurement of around 250 lakh litres per day, making Gujarat one of the largest milk-producing states in India.

Gut-Friendly dairy market gains traction in India

The news comes as India’s dairy industry is experiencing a surge in demand for gut-friendly products, particularly probiotic yogurts and drinks, as consumer interest in health and wellness grows. 

The market for these products, deeply rooted in India’s culinary traditions, is expanding rapidly, driven by rising disposable incomes and increased awareness of gut health.

Industry analysts project the probiotic dairy segment, currently a niche market, to grow at an annual rate of 25% by 2032, with sales of probiotic drinks, curd, and yogurt expected to reach US$10 billion by 2033, up from US$2.2 billion in 2024.

Probiotics, long embedded in Indian cuisine through fermented foods like curd and lassi, are now being marketed by major dairy brands as remedies for digestive issues, particularly among younger consumers. 

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