A recent report by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) has revealed a concerning fact — the per capita daily milk availability in Maharashtra is just 347 grams. This figure is not only significantly lower than the national average of 471 grams, but it also falls behind eight other Indian states, highlighting a serious gap in dairy supply.
Rising Demand, But Insufficient Supply
The NDDB report emphasizes the growing demand for milk due to Maharashtra’s increasing population. However, current production levels are falling short, indicating an urgent need to boost milk production and improve availability across the state.
Which District Leads in Production?
Ahilyanagar is identified as the top milk-producing district in the state. Presently, Maharashtra has 76 cooperative dairy organizations operating, contributing to the state’s milk supply. To encourage more production, the government has introduced several initiatives, most notably a per-litre subsidy scheme for dairy farmers. Initially, farmers were given a Rs 5 per litre subsidy, which was later increased to Rs 7 per litre to further incentivize production.
Maharashtra’s Rank in Milk Production (Nationwide)
In terms of contribution to India’s total milk production, Maharashtra holds a 6.71% share, placing it behind several leading states:
- Uttar Pradesh – 16.21%
- Rajasthan – 14.51%
- Madhya Pradesh – 8.91%
- Gujarat – 7.65%
- Maharashtra – 6.71%
This data underscores the need for Maharashtra to ramp up its dairy infrastructure and production capabilities to meet both current and future demand.
