SUSTAINABILITY AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN COOP DAIRY

Dairy is the largest agricultural product in India, contributing 3.5% to the national economy (as per National Accounts Statistics). In 2023-24, India’s milk production stood at 239.3 million metric tonnes (MMT), representing 25% of global production. About 88 MMT (37%) was consumed at the producer level, leaving a marketable surplus of 150 MMT. Of this surplus, only 32% (47 MMT) is handled by the organized sector, while the remaining 68% (102 MMT) is in the unorganized sector. The cooperative sector accounts for 56% (26 MMT) of milk handled in the organized segment.

Milk handled in the unorganized sector is vulnerable to challenges such as adulteration, exploitation of dairy farmers, and lack of value addition. To address these issues and strengthen the cooperative dairy ecosystem, the Ministry of Cooperation has launched White Revolution 2.0, a cooperative-led initiative aimed at expanding cooperative coverage, generating employment and empowering women, while embedding sustainability and circularity in the dairy sector. By the end of the fifth year, i.e., 2028-29, milk procurement by dairy cooperatives is targeted to reach 1007 lakh kg per day. While, the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for White Revolution 2.0 was launched on 19 September 2024, the White Revolution 2.0 was formally launched on 25.12.2024 to achieve its objectives through the following strategies:

1. 1. Expanding the coverage by dairy cooperatives by the formation of 75,000 new Dairy Cooperative Societies.
   2. Strengthening of 46,422 existing Dairy Cooperative Societies.
   3. Embedding sustainability and circularity in the dairy sector by formation of three exclusive Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) to undertake the following activities:-
      1. To supply cattle feed, mineral mixtures and other technical inputs.
      2. To promote organic manure production and sustainable waste utilization through cooperative efforts, contributing to natural farming and a circular economy by utilization of cow dung and agricultural waste for conversion into organic fertilizers and biogas, in response to rising demand for eco-friendly soil inputs and national sustainability goals.
      3. For Management of hides, bones and horns of fallen animals.

These measures are aimed to enhance income of dairy farmers, improve the quality and safety of milk in the supply chain, create rural employment and more integrated and self-reliant dairy ecosystem across the country under a sustainable and cooperative-led growth model. To ensure effective and timely implementation, the Ministry of Cooperation, in coordination with DAHD and NDDB, Standard Operating Procedure (Margdarshika) launched on 19.09.2024, outline roles, targets, and timelines for all stakeholders. Thus initiative will be implemented following the ‘Whole of the Govt. approach’.

The strategic collaboration between NDDB and NABARD aims to foster a sustainable and climate-resilient dairy sector by combining NDDB’s technical expertise with NABARD’s financial capacity. This includes developing green financing models for infrastructure, strengthening value chains, enhancing cooperative capacity, and improving market access to promote inclusive growth. The White Revolution 2.0 initiative will be implemented for five years during 2024-25 to 2028- 29.

This was stated by the Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

Source : Dairynews7x7 Aug 21st 2025 PIB