World Milk Day: Promoting Animal Health and Dairy Sustainability
Dr. Karuna P. Bambode*, Dr. Dhiman Patgiri** and Dr. Shubham Nayak***
*Scientist, Division of Animal Physiology, ICAR-NDRI, Karnal-132001 (Haryana), India
** Ph.D Scholar, Division of Animal Physiology, ICAR-NDRI, Karnal-132001 (Haryana), India
*** Ph.D Scholar, Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, ICAR-NDRI, Karnal-132001 (Haryana), India
Abstract
World Milk Day is celebrated every year on June 1 to recognize the importance of milk in human nutrition and to honor the contribution of dairy farmers worldwide. The dairy sector plays a major role in food security, rural employment, and economic development. Healthy dairy animals are essential for sustainable milk production and improved farm profitability. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, global milk production exceeds 930 million tonnes annually, highlighting the growing importance of the dairy industry. India is the world’s largest milk producer, contributing nearly 25% of global milk production. Sustainable dairy farming practices such as balanced nutrition, disease prevention, efficient waste management, and animal welfare are crucial for future dairy development. This article highlights the importance of animal health, dairy sustainability, and the role of veterinarians in ensuring safe and quality milk production.
Introduction
Dr. Verghese Kurien, known as the “Father of the White Revolution in India,” played a remarkable role in transforming India into the world’s leading milk-producing nation through cooperative dairy development and the successful Amul model. The White Revolution, launched under Operation Flood in 1970, aimed to increase milk production, strengthen dairy cooperatives, and improve the socio-economic condition of rural dairy farmers. This movement modernized the Indian dairy sector and significantly enhanced rural employment, milk availability, and farmer empowerment.
Milk is considered one of the most nutritious foods because it contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals essential for human health. The dairy sector supports millions of farmers and provides livelihood opportunities across the world. In India, dairying contributes significantly to the agricultural economy and rural employment.
According to recent reports, India continues to be the world’s largest milk producer, producing more than 239.30 million tonnes of milk during 2023–24, maintaining its status as the world’s largest milk producer and contributing nearly 25% of global milk production. Over the past decade, milk production in India has increased by about 63.56%, rising from 146.3 million tonnes in 2014–15 to 239.2 million tonnes in 2023–24, with an average annual growth rate of 5.7%, compared to the global average growth rate of around 2% per annum.
Per capita milk availability in India has also increased steadily, reaching 471 grams per person per day during 2023–24, which is significantly higher than the global average of about 322 grams per person per day. Global milk production continues to rise due to increasing demand, especially in Asian countries, and reached approximately 981 million tonnes in 2024 (Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, 25 Mar, 2025). The major milk-producing states in India are Uttar Pradesh (16.2%), Rajasthan (13.4%), Gujarat (7.8%), Madhya Pradesh (6.8%), Maharashtra (6.7%), and Andhra Pradesh (6.4%), which together contribute a significant share to the country’s total milk production.
Global Milk Production Distribution (2023–2025)
The following graphical representation illustrates the major milk-producing countries and their estimated contribution to global milk production during 2023–2025.
Importance of Animal Health in Dairy Farming
Healthy animals are the backbone of profitable dairy farming. Good animal health improves milk yield, reproductive performance, and milk quality while reducing treatment costs and economic losses.
Common Health Problems in Dairy Animals
Some major diseases and disorders affecting dairy animals include:
| Disease/Condition | Major Impact |
| Mastitis | Reduced milk yield and poor milk quality |
| Milk fever | Weakness, reduced productivity, reproductive problems |
| Heat stress | Lower feed intake and reduced milk production |
| Foot-and-mouth disease | Reduced productivity and trade losses |
| Parasitic infestation | Poor growth and low milk yield |
These conditions reduce productivity and negatively impact animal welfare.
Measures to Promote Animal Health
- Balanced Nutrition
Balanced feeding with adequate protein, energy, minerals, and vitamins is essential for maintaining good health and optimum milk production. Transition cows require special nutritional care around calving.
- Vaccination and Deworming
Regular vaccination protects animals against infectious diseases, while timely deworming helps maintain better growth, immunity, and productivity.
- Proper Housing and Hygiene
Clean sheds, dry bedding, proper drainage, and good ventilation reduce disease occurrence and improve animal comfort.
- Heat Stress Management
High environmental temperature and humidity reduce feed intake and milk production in dairy animals (Das et al., 2016). Providing shade, fans, sprinklers, and sufficient clean water helps reduce heat stress.
- Regular Veterinary Care
Routine health check-ups and timely veterinary intervention are important for disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Dairy Sustainability: Need of the Hour
Sustainable dairy farming aims to increase milk production while protecting the environment and maintaining animal welfare. Dairy farming contributes greenhouse gases, mainly methane, but improved management practices can significantly reduce environmental impact.
- Efficient use of water and feed resources
- Scientific manure management
- Biogas production from dung
- Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
- Use of solar energy on dairy farms
- Breeding disease-resistant and high-yielding animals
- Improved animal welfare practices
- Adoption of clean milk production practices
Research shows that scientific feeding and improved herd management can reduce methane emissions while improving milk productivity.
Role of Veterinarians in Sustainable Dairy Development
Veterinarians play a vital role in improving dairy animal health and productivity. Their responsibilities include:
- Disease prevention and treatment
- Vaccination and herd health management
- Nutritional and reproductive management
- Farmer education and awareness
- Promotion of animal welfare and clean milk production
Veterinary Professionals help farmers adopt scientific dairy farming methods that improve productivity and reduce economic losses.
Importance of Milk for Human Health
Milk is rich in calcium, phosphorus, protein, vitamin A, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. Regular milk consumption supports:
- Bone and teeth development
- Muscle growth
- Immune function
- Child nutrition
- Overall health and wellbeing
Conclusion
World Milk Day highlights the importance of milk, dairy farmers, healthy animals, and sustainable dairy farming practices. Animal health management through balanced feeding, vaccination, hygiene, and veterinary care is essential for increasing milk production and farmer profitability. At the same time, sustainable dairy farming practices are necessary to protect the environment and ensure long-term dairy development. Healthy animals and sustainable dairy systems together contribute to food security, nutrition, rural livelihoods, and economic growth.
References
- Das, R., Sailo, L., Verma, N., Verma, N, Bharti, P., Saikia, J.,Imtiwati and Kumar, R.(2016). Review on Impact of heat stress on health and performance of dairy animals. Veterinary World 9:7 pp. 260-268.
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Livestock Production and Management Resources.
- National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), India. Dairy Farming and Animal Health Management Guidelines.
- Baghel, S. P. S. (2025, March 25).Status of milk production and growth of the global dairy industry. Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India.
