Animal Husbandry and Dairying is a State subject and the State Governments are primarily responsible for the growth of the sector. Dairying has become an important secondary source of income and employment for millions of rural families. The Indian Dairy Industry acquired substantial growth momentum from 9th Plan onwards, achieving an annual output of 97.1 million tonnes of milk during 2005-06. India's milk output during the year 2006-2007 reached the level of 100.9 million tonnes (provisional). This has not only placed the country on top in the world, but also represents sustained growth in the availability of milk and milk products for the burgeoning population of the country.
Government of India is making efforts to increase the productivity of milch animals and thus increase the per capita availability of milk. Most of the milk is produced by small, marginal farmers and landless labourers who are grouped into cooperatives at the village level. To provide them a steady market and a remunerative price for the milk produced, about 12 million farmers have been brought under the ambit of more than one lakh village level cooperative societies in the country.
Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries , under the Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for matters relating to livestock production, preservation, protection and improvement of stocks, dairy development and also for matters relating to the Delhi Milk Scheme and the National Dairy Development Board . It also looks after all matters pertaining to fishing and fisheries, which includes inland and marine sectors and matters related to the National Fisheries Development Board.
The Department has been providing assistance to the State Governments for the control of animal diseases, scientific management and upgradation of genetic resources, increasing availability of nutritious feed and fodder, sustainable development of processing and marketing facilities and enhancement of production and profitability of livestock and fisheries enterprises. State Governments have set up separate departments which are responsible for development of animal husbandry and dairying in the State.
