Maharashtra's Dairy Sector Shows Remarkable Growth Over Decade
The latest Economic Survey for 2025-26 has unveiled impressive growth in Maharashtra's dairy industry, highlighting a substantial increase in milk production and significant policy developments. According to the survey, the state's milk production has experienced a dramatic rise over the past ten years.
Substantial Increase in Milk Output and Availability
From 2015-16 to 2024-25, Maharashtra's milk production escalated from 101.52 lakh metric tonnes to 166.26 lakh metric tonnes. This represents a substantial growth of 63.8% over the decade. Concurrently, the per capita availability of milk in the state increased from 239 grams per day to 358 grams per day, marking a 49.8% growth in the dairy sector.
However, the survey notes that Maharashtra's per capita milk availability of 358 grams per day still lags behind the national average of 485 grams per day, placing the state at the fifth rank nationally. In other animal protein sectors, the per capita availability of eggs stands at 65 eggs per annum compared to the national average of 106 eggs per annum, securing the seventh rank. Conversely, per capita meat availability is 9.5 kg per annum, exceeding the national average of 7.5 kg per annum and earning the third rank.
Dairy as a Key Rural Economic Driver
The Economic Survey emphasizes that dairy farming serves as a crucial supplementary activity to agriculture. It possesses significant potential to generate additional income and create employment opportunities for rural households, thereby contributing to improved nutritional levels across the state.
Under the cooperative sector, as of the end of March 2025, Maharashtra boasted 68 milk processing plants with a combined capacity of 83.25 lakh litres per day. Additionally, the state had 44 chilling centres with a capacity of 20.66 lakh litres per day. During the 2024-25 period, the average daily milk collection by cooperative dairies was recorded at 43.37 lakh litres. For the 2025-26 period up to December, this figure was 42.87 lakh litres.
Historic Policy Shift for Animal Husbandry
A landmark decision by the state government in October 2025 has granted agriculture-equivalent status to animal husbandry businesses. This makes Maharashtra the first state in the country to implement such a policy. The move is set to provide substantial relief to lakhs of livestock farmers engaged in dairy farming, poultry farming, and goat rearing.
The benefits of this new status include several key provisions:
- Electricity charges for livestock units will be levied at agricultural rates.
- Uniformity in taxation, including gram panchayat taxes, will be applied at agricultural rates.
- Interest concessions on loans for animal husbandry activities will be available.
- Eligibility for setting up solar pumps and other solar systems will be on par with agriculture.
This progressive policy is expected to further bolster the state's dairy and animal husbandry sectors, enhancing sustainability and economic viability for farmers. The Economic Survey underscores the vital role of these industries in Maharashtra's rural economy and their contribution to the state's overall agricultural output.
