The growth is largely driven by a handful of key states, with Uttar Pradesh leading the nation in milk production. The state contributed an impressive 15.72% of the total output, cementing its role as the national dairy powerhouse. Following Uttar Pradesh, other significant contributors include Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh, underscoring the widespread geographical strength of India’s dairy industry and its crucial importance to a diverse range of local economies.

From a macroeconomic perspective, the value of India’s dairy sector is now estimated at approximately ₹11 lakh crore, a staggering sum that is even larger than the combined value of wheat and rice production. This remarkable financial scale highlights the dairy sector’s integral role in India’s economy and its capacity to generate wealth and stability for millions of farmers. This insight is a key piece of data journalism for anyone studying global dairy economics.

The increased production has also had a direct positive impact on national food security and nutrition. The per capita availability of milk in India has now risen to 468 grams per day, a figure well above the global average of 322 grams per day. This significant improvement in milk availability ensures that a growing population has access to a vital source of protein and calcium, a testament to the success of both policy initiatives and the hard work of the nation’s dairy farmers.