| | June 20218T he size of the Indian dairy industry is estimated at Rs. 10 lakh crore with significant growth potential. India is the largest milk producer in the world with estimated output of 198 million tonne in 2019-20. India's milk production has been growing at an average 5-6% year-on-year, and it is expected to maintain a similar growth rate in the foreseeable future. As per a study by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), the demand for milk and milk products is expected to touch 266 million tonne in 2030.Millions of farmers are involved in the dairy industry, which is its biggest strength, and also its biggest weakness. Unlike dairy industry in other countries, especially New Zealand, the US, or European countries, diary farmers in India are usually small and marginal farmers. Most of them only have a few livestock. Considering the huge numbers, any change that has to be implemented at the ground level, takes a long time, and requires a huge effort.In spite of the impressive growth in milk production over the years, I believe we are still lagging as far as reducing wastage of milk is concerned. Being highly perishable, milk needs to be cooled at source in order to enhance its shelf life. However, as a result of unreliable and erratic power supply in many states, especially in the rural areas which account for 57% of the total production, it is estimated that 3-5% of the milk is wasted. We have made significant of progress in reducing wastage over the years, but much more is required to optimize utilization and to ensure not a single drop of milk is wasted, right from the moment milk is produced to the time it is delivered at the consumer's doorstep. This is a tough task, but I believe it can be made possible if by adoption of technology and technological solutions throughout the dairy procurement supply chain.First of all, let us talk about some of the issues that are stopping the dairy industry from achieving its full potential. TECHNOLOGY-BASED INNOVATIVE DAIRY SOLUTIONS TO HELP IMPROVING DAIRY PROCUREMENT SUPPLY CHAIN SYSTEM.By Shridhar Mehta, Director, Prompt Dairy TechVANTAGE POINT
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