Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh has taken its dairy development initiatives to the district level through Dairy Conclave-2026, organised across all 75 districts of the state on August 5.
The one-day programme was jointly organised by the Dairy Development Department and the Animal Husbandry Department to mark 50 years of the Dairy Development Department. The initiative focused on improving awareness about government welfare schemes, modern dairy technologies and scientific livestock management practices.
The conclaves brought together milk-producing farmers, livestock rearers, representatives of milk unions and dairy committees, self-help groups, officials and other stakeholders associated with the dairy sector.
Focus on Welfare Schemes and Modern Dairy Practices
The programme was designed to help eligible beneficiaries understand government schemes and improve the implementation of departmental programmes.
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The key areas covered included:
- Modern dairy management practices
- Formal dairy processing and the Dugdh Policy-2022
- Fodder management
- Animal disease identification and prevention
- Disease surveillance and control
- Livestock vaccination
- Government schemes and programmes for dairy-sector beneficiaries
Experts provided technical and practical information during the conclaves, with scientists and subject experts from Krishi Vigyan Kendras and agricultural universities also sharing their knowledge.
Dairy Commissioner Highlights Wider Participation
Dairy Commissioner Dhanalakshmi K. said the programme was intended to ensure that the benefits of welfare measures reach eligible beneficiaries.
She encouraged milk-producing farmers, livestock rearers, self-help groups, dairy committees and others associated with the sector to participate in the initiative and make use of the available schemes.
“The conclave will be broadcast live.”
The programme was broadcast from the department’s headquarters, while district-level events were organised at Vikas Bhawan auditoriums under the supervision of the respective Chief Development Officers.
Beneficiaries Linked to Dairy Development Schemes
The conclaves also included the distribution of selection and approval letters to beneficiaries under several state dairy and cattle-development schemes.
These included:
- Mukhyamantri Swadeshi Go-Sanvardhan Yojana
- Mini Nandini Krishak Samriddhi Yojana
- Nandini Krishak Samriddhi Yojana
The programmes were intended to connect beneficiaries with government support while encouraging scientific approaches to livestock and dairy management.
Cooperatives Strengthen Rural Dairy Economy
The state is also expanding its cooperative network as part of its broader dairy-development strategy.
According to figures attributed to Dairy Commissioner Dhanalakshmi K., 4,951 primary milk cooperative societies have been established under the Nand Baba Dugdh Mission, with employment opportunities associated with the initiative estimated at around 2.25 lakh people.
The department has also reported that 17,994 individuals have received direct benefits through the initiative.
The cooperative expansion is aimed at strengthening organised milk procurement and improving farmers’ access to dairy markets.
Women’s Groups Have Role in Dairy Value Chain
Women’s self-help groups are also an important part of Uttar Pradesh’s wider dairy ecosystem.
A March 2026 report said women’s groups operating across 31 districts and more than 6,000 villages were involved in milk procurement, processing and marketing, with the groups collectively handling around 10 lakh litres of milk a day. The initiative was reported to have generated business of about ₹5,000 crore while increasing women’s incomes.
This wider participation of women’s groups complements the state’s efforts to expand organised dairy activity and create livelihood opportunities in rural areas.
Uttar Pradesh Maintains Leading Position in Milk Production
Uttar Pradesh continues to be the country’s largest milk-producing state. Figures cited by the state Dairy Development Department show that the state produced 38.8 million tonnes of milk in 2024-25, accounting for about 16% of India’s total milk production.
The state is also seeking greater private participation in the dairy sector. According to the Dairy Development Department, investment proposals and MoUs worth more than ₹28,000 crore have been linked to the sector.
With the Dairy Conclave-2026, the state has sought to combine awareness of government schemes with technical knowledge and stakeholder participation, while continuing its broader efforts to strengthen dairy cooperatives and rural livelihoods.
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