Digital transformation dairy India is no longer a policy slogan. It is becoming the backbone of how the country manages the world’s largest milk production system, with the National Dairy Development Board leading the shift through a network of integrated digital platforms.
The NDDB has launched the National Digital Livestock Mission to create a unified ecosystem under the banner of Bharat Pashudhan. At the heart of this initiative is the 12-digit Pashu Aadhaar, a unique digital identity for every animal. More than 35.68 crore tags have already been generated, enabling traceability of breeding, health and productivity records at the farm level.
One of the most visible tools of this transformation is the Automatic Milk Collection System (AMCS). The system digitally captures daily milk quantity, fat content and quality, automates payments and sends real-time SMS alerts to farmers. AMCS is currently active in more than 26,000 dairy cooperative societies, benefiting around 17.3 lakh producers across 12 states and Union Territories.
To manage operations end-to-end, NDDB has introduced the Dairy ERP (NDERP) platform, which covers finance, inventory, sales, manufacturing, human resources and payroll. The web-based system, along with its mobile version mINDERP, integrates directly with AMCS, creating a seamless chain from cow to consumer and reducing processing losses through digital mass-balancing.
Another major pillar is the Information Network for Animal Productivity and Health (INAPH). This platform captures real-time data on breeding, feeding and veterinary services delivered at farmers’ doorsteps. It allows monitoring of livestock development programs and helps authorities evaluate productivity interventions with precision.
The breeding side is supported by the Semen Station Management System (SSMS), which tracks the entire bull lifecycle, semen production, biosecurity protocols and distribution of frozen semen doses. The system is linked with INSPRM and INAPH, ensuring traceability and standardised practices across 38 semen stations nationwide.
NDDB has also developed the Internet-based Dairy Information System (i-DIS), a centralised platform that collects and analyses data across cooperatives, milk unions and federations. It monitors procurement, processing, distribution and input supply, creating a national cooperative dairy database.
On the logistics front, GIS-based Milk Route Optimisation tools are being used to plan and optimise collection routes. The free, web-based platform cuts fuel consumption, reduces travel time and improves milk freshness by streamlining transportation networks.
India’s dairy sector remains unmatched globally. The country has been the world’s largest milk producer since 1998, accounting for around 25 percent of global output. Total milk production reached 247.87 million tonnes in 2024–25, up from 239.30 million tonnes the previous year. Per capita availability rose sharply to 485 grams per day, reflecting improvements in productivity and nutrition security.
Yet challenges persist. Heat stress linked to climate change has reduced yields by 10–30 percent in several northern states. Diseases such as Lumpy Skin Disease and mastitis continue to erode farmer incomes, while cattle feed prices have surged by 246 percent over the last three decades. Structural issues also remain, with more than 70 percent of marketable milk still flowing through the unorganised sector.
This is where digital tools intersect with White Revolution 2.0, launched in September 2024. The program targets a 50 percent increase in daily cooperative milk procurement by 2028–29 and aims to expand genetic improvement, embryo transfer and IVF technologies.
Experts argue that IoT collars, AI-driven udder scanners and automated milking systems must now be scaled nationally. The full integration of Bharat Pashudhan data, coupled with solar-powered chilling units and improved SPS standards, is expected to formalise milk handling, improve quality and open premium export markets.
India’s dairy future is increasingly digital. From Pashu Aadhaar to ERP platforms, the sector is building a technology-led ecosystem that promises better productivity, higher farmer incomes and a resilient path forward for the world’s largest milk economy.
Written for eDairyNews, with information from: Drishtiias
