DAHD rolls out schemes to boost milk yield; milk prices rising
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) says it is implementing a set of nationwide schemes — Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD), Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF), Supporting Dairy Cooperatives & Farmer Producer Organisations (SDCFPO), National Livestock Mission (NLM) and Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP) across the country to strengthen bovine productivity, dairy-infrastructure, feed & fodder availability and animal health services.
| Average milk procurement price* (Rs./Litre) | ||
| Year | Buffalo Milk (Fat-6% and SNF 9%) | Cow Milk (Fat- 3.5% and SNF8.5%) |
| 2021-22 | 39.8 | 29.4 |
| 2022-23 | 44.3 | 33.6 |
| 2023-24 | 46.5 | 35.2 |
| 2024-25 | 47.5 | 35.5 |
| 2025-26 | 49.2 | 36.7 |
According to the release (02 Dec 2025), average procurement price of milk has been rising over the past five years — from Rs 29.4/litre for cow-milk in 2021-22 to a projected Rs 36.7/litre in 2025-26. Buffalo-milk procurement rose from Rs 39.8 to Rs 49.2 per litre over the same period.
Key Insights
Even after adjusting for inflation:
-
Buffalo milk prices peak in 2022–23 in real terms.
-
Cow milk prices peak in 2022–23–2023–24, then soften.
-
Real inflation-adjusted prices show stagnation / decline, indicating margin pressure on farmers despite nominal increases.
DAHD clarifies that while it does not regulate market prices (those are decided by cooperatives or dairies), the schemes are designed to complement state efforts — offering infrastructure support, working-capital subsidies, strengthening cooperatives, and improving veterinary and breed-improvement services for rural dairy farmers.
These combined efforts, the ministry says, aim at reducing cost of production, raising incomes of milk producers, and improving milk productivity and availability across the country.
Source : DAirynews7x7 Dec 3rd 2025 PIB
