Dairy Sector in India – Evolution, Challenges and Way Forward

The first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic was a huge blow to the Indian economy but the effects of the second wave are no less. Given all the sectors of the economy suffering, it has become quite difficult for the dairy sector to thrive. In the Indian farm-dependent population comprising cultivators and agricultural labourers, those involved in dairying and livestock constitute 70 million. Milk production provides great support to farmers. However, given the nature of production and sale of milk in India, milk producers are highly susceptible to even minor shocks as the demand for milk and milk products are sensitive to changes in the employment and income of consumers. The second wave of the pandemic has posed a heavy blow to the dairy sector in India. With various issues plaguing the sector, the pandemic has made the milk produc