National Dairy Development Board

The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) is a premier statutory organisation established by the Government of India to promote, plan, and organise programmes for the development of the dairy and animal husbandry sectors across the country. Headquartered in Anand, Gujarat, the NDDB has played a transformative role in revolutionising India’s dairy industry—turning the country from a milk-deficient nation into the world’s largest milk producer through the pioneering Operation Flood programme.

Establishment and Background

The NDDB was founded in 1965 under the inspiration and leadership of Dr. Verghese Kurien, often hailed as the Father of the White Revolution in India. It was created through an act of Parliament to replicate the success of the Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union (Amul) model nationwide.
At the time of its formation, India faced severe milk shortages and depended heavily on imported dairy products. The NDDB was envisioned as the institutional mechanism to expand and modernise milk production, procurement, processing, and marketing through a cooperative framework.

• Founded: 1965
• Founder and First Chairman: Dr. Verghese Kurien
• Headquarters: Anand, Gujarat
• Statutory Status: Declared an institution of national importance under the National Dairy Development Board Act, 1987 (effective from 12 July 1989).

Objectives of NDDB

The core objectives of the National Dairy Development Board include:

1. Dairy Development and Modernisation:
   • Promote, plan, and implement programmes to increase milk production and productivity.
2. Cooperative Strengthening:
   • Establish and support dairy cooperatives owned and managed by milk producers.
3. Self-Sufficiency in Milk Production:
   • Reduce dependence on imports by achieving domestic self-reliance in milk and dairy products.
4. Market Integration:
   • Create a national grid linking rural milk producers with urban consumers through an organised network.
5. Rural Development and Income Generation:
   • Enhance the socio-economic status of rural farmers, particularly smallholders and women, through dairy-based livelihoods.
6. Research and Technology Promotion:
   • Support research in animal breeding, feed, and disease control, and facilitate technological innovations in dairy processing.
7. Diversification:
   • Expand activities into allied sectors like animal nutrition, fodder development, and other rural-based industries.

Institutional Structure

The NDDB functions as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India.

• Chairperson: Appointed by the Government of India.
• Board of Directors: Includes representatives from the central government, state governments, cooperatives, and dairy professionals.
• Subsidiaries and Partner Institutions:
  • Mother Dairy Fruit & Vegetable Pvt. Ltd. (Delhi)
  • Indian Immunologicals Ltd. (IIL), Hyderabad
  • IDMC Ltd. (Instrumentation & Dairy Machinery Company), Anand

These subsidiaries extend NDDB’s work in milk processing, veterinary vaccines, and equipment manufacturing.

Major Programmes and Initiatives

1. Operation Flood (1970–1996):

The flagship programme implemented by NDDB, known as the White Revolution, was launched in 1970 and executed in three phases.
Objective: To create a nationwide milk grid and transform India’s dairy sector through producer-owned cooperatives.
Key Features:

• Funded through the sale of European Community’s surplus dairy commodities (milk powder and butter oil) gifted to India via the World Food Programme (WFP).
• Revenue generated was reinvested in dairy infrastructure and cooperative development.

Phases:

• Phase I (1970–1981): Established 18 milk-sheds linked to 10 metro cities.
• Phase II (1981–1985): Expanded to 136 milk-sheds and 290 urban markets.
• Phase III (1985–1996): Focused on self-sustainability and institutional strengthening.

Impact:

• India became self-sufficient in milk production by the 1990s.
• Rural producers gained regular income and market access.
• Laid the foundation for India’s dairy cooperative movement, involving millions of farmers.

2. Integrated Dairy Development Programme (IDDP):

Introduced to expand dairy development to non-Operation Flood districts, focusing on:

• Strengthening cooperative infrastructure.
• Providing veterinary and artificial insemination services.
• Improving milk collection and processing capacity.

3. National Dairy Plan (NDP):

Launched in 2012, the National Dairy Plan Phase I (NDP-I) aims to increase milk productivity and meet growing domestic demand.
Key Features:

• Funded by the World Bank and the Government of India.
• Implemented in 18 major milk-producing states.
• Focus areas:
  • Genetic improvement of milch animals.
  • Ration balancing and improved animal nutrition.
  • Village-based milk procurement systems.
  • Farmer awareness and training.

Future Vision: The NDDB continues to work on NDP-II, targeting sustainable growth and climate-resilient dairying.

4. Rashtriya Gokul Mission and Allied Activities:

NDDB collaborates with the central government’s initiatives under the National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development (NPBBDD), contributing to:

• Genetic improvement of indigenous cattle breeds.
• Conservation of native livestock biodiversity.

5. Other Notable Projects:

• Fodder Development Programme: Promotes improved pasture and fodder crop cultivation.
• Clean Milk Production: Enhances milk hygiene and quality.
• Women’s Dairy Cooperatives: Empowers rural women through dairy entrepreneurship.
• Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (DEDS): Supports individual entrepreneurs and self-help groups.

NDDB’s Subsidiary Institutions

These subsidiaries embody NDDB’s integrated approach—spanning the entire dairy value chain from production to processing and marketing.

Achievements of NDDB

1. White Revolution Success:
   • Transformed India into the world’s largest milk producer, surpassing the United States in 1998.
   • Annual milk production crossed 220 million tonnes (2023).
2. Rural Empowerment:
   • Over 1.8 lakh village-level dairy cooperatives with more than 16 million member farmers.
   • Enhanced rural income and reduced poverty, particularly among small and marginal farmers.
3. Food Security:
   • Milk became India’s largest agricultural commodity, contributing significantly to the rural economy.
4. Women’s Empowerment:
   • Women constitute nearly 30% of cooperative membership, enhancing gender equity in rural areas.
5. Technology and Innovation:
   • Promoted research in cattle breeding, artificial insemination, feed technology, and milk processing.
6. Export Promotion:
   • Strengthened India’s capacity to export dairy products such as milk powder, ghee, butter, and cheese.
7. Sustainability Initiatives:
   • Focus on renewable energy use in dairies, waste management, and sustainable livestock practices.

Challenges

Despite its success, NDDB faces several contemporary challenges:

• Declining Dairy Productivity: Need for improved breeding and nutrition management.
• Climate Change Impact: Affecting fodder availability and animal health.
• Market Competition: Rising presence of private dairy companies and changing consumer preferences.
• Supply Chain Modernisation: Requirement for digitalisation and cold chain expansion.
• Sustainability Issues: Need to balance production growth with environmental and resource constraints.

NDDB’s Current Vision

The NDDB envisions a “Self-Reliant and Sustainable Dairy Sector” built on the cooperative spirit. Its ongoing priorities include:

• Enhancing milk productivity through improved animal genetics.
• Promoting climate-resilient dairying and clean milk production.
• Integrating digital technology in milk procurement and traceability.
• Supporting women-led dairy cooperatives for inclusive growth.