The Madhya Pradesh government has approved a significant decision to hand over the operations of the State Cooperative Dairy Federation, including its affiliated milk unions, to the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) for the next five years.
This move is seen as an effort to revamp the state’s dairy industry, although it has sparked controversy, with opposition Congress accusing the state of giving Gujarat’s Amul a “backdoor” entry to take over Madhya Pradesh’s renowned Sanchi brand.
Earlier, NDDB presented a detailed dairy development plan aimed at transforming Madhya Pradesh’s dairy infrastructure and improving its cooperative societies. During a meeting with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla, and other senior officials, NDDB Chairman Dr. Meenesh Shah outlined key focus areas.
These include expanding and strengthening cooperatives, enhancing marketing efforts, upgrading dairy infrastructure, and promoting the production of biogas and organic fertilizers from cow dung. Dr. Shah expressed NDDB’s commitment to fully supporting the state’s dairy and cooperative sectors, receiving strong backing from Chief Minister Yadav.
The decision to transfer the management of the State Cooperative Dairy Federation to NDDB is viewed as a strategic move to boost dairy productivity and elevate the income of farmers across 11,000 villages in Madhya Pradesh. NDDB’s involvement is expected to enhance the cooperative sector, ensuring better returns for milk producers and driving economic growth.
During the meeting, it was confirmed that NDDB will take over the operations of the Madhya Pradesh State Cooperative Dairy Federation for five years. Legal and administrative approvals will be obtained for the transfer, and amendments to the Cooperative Act may be made if necessary.
Chief Minister Yadav emphasized that the move aligns with the state’s goal of making Madhya Pradesh a leader in milk production. The MOU between NDDB and the state government is expected to improve the economic standing of milk farmers and cattle keepers by ensuring higher prices for their produce.
Madhya Pradesh currently ranks third in India for milk production, contributing 9-10% of the country’s total output. Producing over 5.5 crore liters of milk daily, the state’s per capita milk availability exceeds the national average, standing at 644 grams per day compared to the national average of 459 grams. The state government has set a target to double milk production in the next five years.
