Milk, Egg, Meat produce hit record highs in 2025, 25% of global milk output inked, ‘Gau Chip’ developed

India retained its position as the world’s largest milk producer in 2025, contributing 25% of global milk output. Milk production touched 247.87 million tonnes in 2024–25, growing at a CAGR of 5.41% over 11 years, far outpacing the global growth rate of 1.12% in 2024. Per capita milk availability in India rose to 485 grams per day in 2024–25, significantly higher than the global average of 328 grams per day.

FAOSTAT’s 2023 data further positions India as the second-largest egg producer and fourth-largest meat producer globally. Egg production surged from 78.48 billion in 2014–15 to 149.11 billion in 2024–25, clocking a CAGR of 6.63%. Per capita egg availability rose to 106 eggs per year from just 62 a decade ago. Meat production also showed steady growth, rising from 6.69 million tonnes to 10.50 million tonnes between 2014–15 and 2024–25, marking a CAGR of 4.61%.

The year 2025 saw several major milestones. Milk production peaked at 247.87 million metric tonnes, marking a 69.4% increase over the past 11 years. Productivity per animal rose by an impressive 27%, from 1,648 kg per animal per year in 2013–14 to 2,079 kg in 2024–25, the fastest growth rate globally. The value of milk output crossed ₹12.21 lakh crore in 2023–24, making it India’s largest agricultural commodity by value.

In a major push for genetic improvement, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying expanded the national Artificial Insemination (AI) programme across 623 districts. Of these, 126 districts crossed the 50% AI coverage benchmark, raising the country’s overall AI coverage from 25% to 40% of breedable bovine females. To further accelerate genetic gains, the government developed India’s first unified genomic chips—Gau Chip for indigenous cattle and Mahish Chip for buffaloes. Nearly 75,000 animals have been genotyped so far to create a national reference population.

India’s livestock sector continued its strong upward trajectory, emerging as a major pillar of the agricultural economy. According to official estimates, the sector recorded a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.77% between 2014–15 and 2023–24. Its contribution to the country’s agriculture and allied Gross Value Added (GVA) rose from 24.38% in 2014–15 to 30.87% in 2023–24, while livestock alone accounted for 5.49% of India’s total GVA in 2023–24.

The National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) also witnessed significant expansion. From 2014–15 to November 2025, 253 projects worth Rs 4,110.98 crore were sanctioned across 28 states and three Union Territories, with Rs 2,410.99 crore released. During 2025–26, the Project Sanctioning Committee approved the formation of 21,902 new dairy cooperative societies, of which 8,836 societies in 17 states have already received approval with an outlay of Rs 142.65 crore. The year also saw installation of Bulk Milk Coolers with 467 TLPD capacity, 2,330 Electronic Milk Adulteration Testing Machines, and strengthening of 16 dairy plant laboratories. A total of 2,526 Dairy Cooperative Societies and Milk Pooling Points were operationalised.

Under NPDD Component B, aimed at expanding market access and processing capacity, 42 projects worth Rs 1,617.15 crore have been approved to date. The programme has so far established 6,516 new Dairy Cooperative Societies, strengthened 6,480 existing societies, and deployed 9,973 Automatic Milk Collection Units/Digital Milk Collection Units. Infrastructure for processing 243 LLPD of value-added products has also been created.

Support to dairy cooperatives continued through the SDCFPO scheme, which offers 2% annual interest subvention on working capital loans. As of October 31, 2025, interest subvention totaling Rs 680.68 crore had been provided on working capital loans of Rs 80,048 crore availed by 64 milk unions.

With sustained investment, technological intervention, and structural strengthening, India’s livestock and dairy sectors are experiencing unprecedented growth. The government says these efforts will not only increase farmers’ income but also enhance food security, value addition, and export potential in the years ahead.