The strength of India’s dairy sector is small farmers, said prime minister Narendra Modi on September 12 at the inauguration of the International Dairy Federation World Dairy Summit (IDF WDS) 2022, organised at India Expo Centre and Mart in Greater Noida.
“I hope the summit helps people learn from each other and exchange information about the dairy sector. The concept of Pashu Dhan is part of our Indian tradition. In India, the strength of the dairy sector is small farmers and production of masses is key,” said PM Modi.
He said the last mile beneficiaries of this summit are going to be our small and marginalised farmers. “The potential of the dairy sector not only gives impetus to the rural economy, but it is also a major source of livelihood for crores of people across the world,” he said.
The prime minister said India’s dairy sector is recognised for production by masses rather than mass production.
“India’s dairy sector is recognised for production by masses rather than mass production. Today 8 crore families are getting employment from the dairy sector,” said PM Modi.
Speaking at inauguration of International Dairy Federation World Dairy Summit 2022 in Greater Noida. https://t.co/yGqQ2HNMU4
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 12, 2022
He also noted that India has become the largest producer of dairy products in the world due to the collective efforts of small-scale dairy farmers.
“Unlike other developed countries of the world, in India, the driving force of the dairy sector are the small farmers. Thanks to the digital revolution in India, the dairy sector has progressed greatly,” he said.
The PM also talked about how the digital revolution in India has also reached the dairy sector and said the digital payment system can help farmers across the world. “Tough, adaptable indigenous species are India’s uniqueness in the dairy sector,” he added.
According to the prime minister’s office, the four-day-long IDF WDS 2022 being held from September 12-15, is a congregation of global and Indian dairy stakeholders including industry leaders, experts, farmers and policy planners centring around the theme of ‘Dairy for Nutrition and Livelihood’.
Around 1,500 participants from 50 countries are expected to participate in IDF WDS 2022. The last such summit was held in India about half a century ago in 1974.
“The Indian dairy industry is unique in the sense that it is based on a cooperative model that empowers small and marginal dairy farmers, especially women. Driven by the vision of the prime minister, the government has taken multiple steps for the betterment of the dairy sector resulting in an increase of milk production by more than 44 per cent in the last eight years,” said the PMO.
“The success story of the Indian dairy industry, accounting for about 23 per cent of global milk, producing around 210 million tonnes annually, and empowering more than 8 crore dairy farmers, will be showcased at the IDF WDS 2022,” it said.
The summit will also help Indian dairy farmers to gain exposure about global best practices.
