Reducing the Carbon Footprint of India’s Dairy Sector: Strategies for Sustainability and Circular Economy Integration

A high-level meeting on the milk situation in India, chaired by Smt. Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), took place on 18th December 2024 in New Delhi. The meeting, attended by representatives from the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India (NCDFI), and various State Cooperative Dairy Federations, focused on strategies for enhancing efficiency in the dairy sector, with a particular emphasis on reducing the sector’s carbon footprint.

Smt. Upadhyaya highlighted India’s position as the world leader in milk production, with an estimated 239.3 million metric tons produced in 2023-24. She called for increased efforts from Dairy Federations to improve milk procurement processes and ensure fair pricing for farmers, while also addressing consumer interests.

However, the most significant discussion centered on the dairy sector’s carbon footprint. Secretary Upadhyaya stressed the importance of integrating circular economy practices to mitigate environmental impact and boost sustainability within the industry. NDDB presented various biogas generation models, including the Zakariyapura, Banaskantha, and Varanasi models, all aimed at utilizing cow dung for biogas production and organic fertilizer creation.

These initiatives are playing a pivotal role in India’s shift toward sustainable energy. Over 27,000 household biogas plants have been installed across 19 states, helping to generate green energy and reduce waste. In addition, two large-scale biogas plants are already operational, and 11 more are in development, further advancing the country’s circular economy efforts.

A key outcome of these projects has been the generation of carbon credits, with 1,040 farmers earning 11,000 credits, providing them with additional income while contributing to the nation’s environmental goals. NDDB has also partnered with Suzuki R&D Centre India Pvt Ltd to explore using cow dung as a source of energy for transportation, further promoting sustainable practices and reducing the dairy sector’s carbon emissions.

Secretary Upadhyaya called on all state federations to engage in the circular economy movement, urging them to propose at least one biogas project for an upcoming conference on dairy circularity. This initiative, she noted, would help reduce the carbon footprint of the dairy sector and increase farmer incomes.

In addition to promoting sustainability, the meeting also highlighted the importance of water efficiency in dairy production. Secretary Upadhyaya encouraged the integration of automation in dairy processing plants to reduce water consumption, aligning with the objectives of the National Water Mission and the National Action Plan on Climate Change.

In closing, Secretary Upadhyaya emphasized the need for benchmarking in the dairy sector to improve efficiency, lower production costs, and further reduce the carbon footprint of dairy operations. She also urged federations to accelerate the formation of cooperative societies to boost milk procurement and integrate more milk into the organized sector, thereby improving the socio-economic conditions of dairy farmers across the country.