Lok Sabha Question No. 1748 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Dairy Farming
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Dr. Shashi Tharoor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1748 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 TH  FEBRUARY 2026

## DAIRY FARMING

## 1748. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

## Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING मत्स्यपालन , पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Government is aware that dairy farmers in Kerala are reporting losses because production costs exceed milk procurement prices currently offered, farmers receiving Rs. 42-48 per litre only while actual costs around Rs. 52 per litre, this is contributing to a decline in dairy herds and farmer exits;
- (b) whether the Government has made any assessment to find the reasons for existing Central schemes, including the Revised National Programme for Dairy Development aimed at improving milk procurement, processing and rural incomes which have not improved remunerative prices or cost support at the farm level;
- (c) whether there is any gap between scheme design and actual farm-level relief, especially for small and marginal dairy producers and if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the steps being taken by the Government in the Union Budget 2026-27 to ensure that central dairy development support results in viable economics for producers, fair milk prices, reduced dependence on imports and sustained rural livelihoods?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)

- (a) The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Government of India (GoI) has not received any such report indicating that dairy farmers in Kerala are incurring losses due to production costs exceeding milk procurement prices, or that this has contributed to a decline in dairy herds and farmer exits.
- (b) and (c) DAHD, GoI does not regulate the procurement and sale prices of milk. These are determined by cooperative and private dairies based on factors such as cost of production, stocks  of  dairy  commodities  (e.g.,  white  butter,  skimmed  milk  powder),  and  prevailing domestic and international market conditions. However, DAHD, GoI is implementing the following schemes to supplement the efforts made by the State Government to promote sustainable dairy development and support to small and marginal dairy farmers across the country including Kerala:
- i. Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM).
- ii. National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD)
- iii. Supporting Dairy Cooperatives & Farmer Producer Organisations engaged in dairy activities (SDCFPO)
- iv. Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF)
- v. National Livestock Mission (NLM)
- vi. Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP)

These schemes are helping in improving milk productivity of bovines, expanding network of dairy cooperatives, strengthening of dairy infrastructure, working capital requirement, enhancing  availability  of  feed  and  fodder  and  providing  animal  health  services.  These interventions help to reduce the cost of milk production and also help to enhance income of milk producer from dairy farming.

- (d) In view of (b) and (c) above, does not arise

**************