Conclave calls for policy changes to help dairy sector

Despite being the largest milk producer in the world, India is still short of at least 80 million litres of milk per day to cater to the nutritional needs of the rising population. T. Mano Thangaraj, Minister for Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development, Tamil Nadu, called for new policies and a strong political will to step up dairy production in the country.

Inaugurating the Southern Dairy and Food Conclave 2026 in Kozhikode on Friday (January 9, 2026) he pointed out that dairy farmers should be incentivised more than multinational companies in the sector. Listing the major reasons for developing the dairy sector, Mr. Thangaraj cited the huge opportunities in the international market. “The younger generation can be supported through loans, skill development, and facilities to become dairy entrepreneurs. The allied sectors would develop automatically. Dairy industry can help us improve our GDP,” he added.

Earlier, Mr. Thangaraj, along with J. Chinchurani, Kinjarapu Atchannaidu, and C. Djeacoumar, his counterparts from Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry respectively, inaugurated the conclave.

In her address, Ms. Chinchurani pointed out that Kerala was fast heading towards self-sufficiency in the dairy sector, and that the Malabar region of Milma was noted for its quality of milk. “Kerala is only second to Punjab in terms of productivity, and production has increased by 14% in the last four years.

Indian Dairy Association (IDA) president Sudhir Kumar Singh presided over the event, while Satish Kulkarni, chairman of IDA South Zone, and K.S. Mani, chairman of Milma, were present. Awards for outstanding dairy professionals were presented on the occasion.

The event organised by the IDA features technical sessions on various aspects of dairy development by experts such as Amit Vyas, managing director of Amul; R.S. Matche, Chief Scientist at the Central Food Technological Research Institute, Vellore; Sosamma Iype from Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Mannuthy; K.N. Dhanya, Regional Director of FSSAI, and Neha Sharma, director, Tata Consumer Products Limited.

The event also features an exhibition of various dairy products and the technologies involved, besides a unique exhibition of cattle from various parts of the country.