India stands as the world’s largest producer of milk, accounting for nearly a quarter of global production. However, this impressive statistic masks a significant productivity issue. Despite the vast scale, India’s average milk yield per cow is approximately half of the global average. This discrepancy not only affects farmer incomes but also limits India’s potential in the global dairy trade, with exports constituting a mere 0.25% of the world total.

Key Learnings from Vijay Singh’s Op-Ed

1. Smallholder Farming Model: Challenges and Limitations Approximately 85% of India’s dairy farmers are smallholders, managing one to two animals on less than two acres of land. While this model promotes rural empowerment, it faces inherent limitations due to land scarcity and lack of access to consistent, high-quality inputs. Farmers often prioritize staple or cash crops over growing green fodder, essential for livestock nutrition. The absence of adequate grazing land forces reliance on dry fodder and expensive concentrate feeds, which are suboptimal for milk production.
2. Nutritional Deficiencies Impacting Milk Yield Scientific research underscores the importance of green fodder in milk production, providing essential moisture, fiber, and nutrients. India faces a net shortfall of 35.6% in green fodder, 10.5% in dry crop residues, and 44% in concentrate feed ingredients. This shortage compels farmers to adopt suboptimal feeding practices, leading to reduced milk quality and overall yield. Shunya’s Nutri Ankurit Feed solves for this problem.
3. Climate Change: An Underestimated Threat Climate change exacerbates existing challenges in dairy farming. Studies indicate that a 1°C increase in maximum temperature can reduce milk yield by 2.4% in cattle and 2.1% in buffaloes. Such climatic stresses further strain the productivity of India’s dairy sector.

Addressing India’s dairy productivity challenges requires a multifaceted approach. Investing in quality nutrition, adopting climate-resilient practices, and providing support to smallholder farmers are crucial steps towards enhancing productivity. By bridging the gap between scale and efficiency, India can unlock the full potential of its dairy sector, ensuring better livelihoods for farmers and a stronger position in the global market.

For a more in-depth analysis, refer to Vijay Singh’s full op-ed on Global Agriculture: https://www.global-agriculture.com/farming-agriculture/why-india-is-the-worlds-largest-dairy-producer-but-ranks-low-in-productivity/

About Shunya Agritech

Shunya Agritech is a leading Fodder-as-a-Service provider building the future of dairy through innovation in hydroponic fodder in India. We grow and deliver affordable hydroponic fodder for small farmers, ensuring a year-round green fodder supply in India—regardless of season or geography. Our proprietary Nutri Ankurit Feed (NAF), grown using vertical farming for fodder, reaches farmers daily through a robust green fodder delivery network. Shunya’s hydroponic fodder delivery in India helps solve deep-rooted issues of nutrition, cost, and availability. Through our digital veterinary services in rural India, we also provide remote veterinary consultations for livestock, connecting farmers to expert care at the tap of a button. With our expanding network of Growth and Logistics Centres (GLC) and franchise-ready models, Shunya empowers communities, enhances milk productivity, and drives sustainable growth—one farm at a time.

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