New Delhi

India’s milk production has recorded a sharp rise of nearly 70 per cent over the past 11 years, reaching 248 million tonnes in 2024–25, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. He also expressed confidence that the country will eliminate Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) within the next three years.

Responding to supplementary questions during the Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha, the Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying said that cases of both FMD and Brucellosis have declined significantly in recent years due to sustained government efforts.

Highlighting India’s position as the world’s largest milk producer, Singh noted that output has increased from 146.3 million tonnes in 2014–15 to the current level. He added that productivity per animal has also improved, rising from 1,648 kg annually to 2,251 kg.

Despite this growth, the minister pointed out that exports remain limited, primarily due to the prevalence of FMD. He explained that many developed countries require certification confirming a nation is free from the disease before allowing dairy imports.

Singh said the government has intensified measures to control FMD, leading to a reduction in outbreaks from 132 in 2019 to 40 in 2025. The Centre is fully funding vaccination drives, he added, with the broader goal of achieving FMD-free status certified by the World Organisation for Animal Health.

According to official data, over 132 crore animals—including cattle, buffalo, sheep and goats—have been vaccinated against FMD. Additionally, more than 3 crore young female calves have been immunised against Brucellosis under the National Animal Disease Control Programme.

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The minister also highlighted the development of the ‘Bharat Pashudhan’ digital database, which assigns a unique 12-digit identification number to livestock for better tracking and disease management. So far, over 36 crore animals have been registered on the platform.