Chirag Paswan Urges Dairy Industry to Comply with Quality Norms for Global Competitiveness

Union Food Processing Industries Minister Chirag Paswan has urged the dairy industry to comply with quality standards. He warned that failing to do so could harm market access and benefit dishonest players over genuine businesses aiming for international acclaim. Paswan spoke at the 52nd Dairy Industry Conference, organised by the Indian Dairy Association North Zone.

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Paswan believes India can become a global leader in dairy, addressing worldwide shortages through better organisation and strategic market approaches. "Today, India has the capacity to present itself as a global basket. We just need to be more organised in this direction, channelised and move forward," he stated, highlighting the dairy sector's role in making India globally competitive.

Global Standards and Market Presence

The minister stressed that while the government creates policies like resolving GST issues and promoting dairy processing through central schemes, it is up to the industry to implement these policies effectively. Ensuring quality products reach both domestic and international markets is crucial. Paswan emphasised that Indian dairy products should not only meet but also set international standards, securing a strong presence globally.

Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying S P Singh Baghel noted India's significant progress in milk production. Over 11 years, production surged by 69.41% to reach 247.87 million tonnes by 2024-25. "The annual growth is 6.31 per cent. The global growth rate is only 2 per cent. We have grown three times more than the world average," Baghel stated, adding that India produces 25% of the world's milk and ranks first globally.

Technological Advancements and Future Prospects

Baghel attributed this increase to a focused approach after establishing a separate ministry for the sector. He also highlighted animal welfare and technological initiatives like Artificial Insemination (AI), IVF, and sex-sorted semen technology as key factors in boosting productivity and strengthening the dairy ecosystem.

The conference aims to promote dairy entrepreneurship across rural India by empowering individuals to start and expand dairy businesses. This initiative seeks to enhance income opportunities and strengthen the rural economy.

An agreement was signed on the inaugural day to host the World Dairy Summit in India in 2027, marking a significant milestone for India's dairy sector.

With inputs from PTI