National Dairy Development Board is a statutory body set up by an act of Parliament. It was founded by Dr. Verghese Kurian in 1965 to promote, finance and support producer-owned and controlled organisations. It is under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry. It was founded on the conviction that the development of rural India is critical to our nation's socio economic success. The Dairy Board was established to promote, fund, and support producer-owned and operated businesses.

This article explains about the National Dairy Development Board which is useful for UPSC IAS exam preparation.

What is the National Dairy Development Board?

• The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) is a national institution founded in 1965 by an act of the Indian Parliament. 
• The National Dairy Development Board, which was initially constituted as a society under the Societies Act 1860, was merged with the former Indian Dairy Corporation, which was created and registered under the Companies Act 1956, by the NDDB Act 1987, which took effect on October 12, 1987. 
• NDDB was founded in Anand, Gujarat, with the goal of boosting, financing, and supporting dairy producer-owned and managed organisations.
• The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) is a prestigious organisation in India that works in the field of dairy development.
• Its operations and programs are focused on bolstering farmer-owned institutions, as well as supporting national policies that encourage the expansion of such organisations.
• Board of Directors: The Board of Directors has overall supervision, direction, control, and administration of NDDB's operations and business.

National Dairy Development Board - Significance

• The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) was established in 1965 to replace exploitation with empowerment, tradition with modernization, stagnation with progress, and dairying into a tool for rural development in India.
• Empowering Rural economy: The NDDB's initiatives altered India's rural economy by making dairying a viable and profitable business for millions of milk producers, while also fulfilling the country's demand for milk self-sufficiency.
• Long term livelihood: The NDDB reaches out to dairy farmers and provides them with alternative income-generating opportunities, allowing them to build long-term livelihoods.
• NDDB has been effective in combining dairy farmers' traditional wisdom and experience with modern management strategies in order to capture the milk and milk products market while also assisting farmers.
• Its most notable achievement is Operation Flood, which lasted 26 years and transformed India into the world's greatest milk producer. The White Revolution is another name for this.
• The goal of this enterprise was to increase milk output, increase farmer incomes, and provide customers with reasonable prices.
• In the 'Anand Pattern,' the Board has integrated over 1 lakh dairy cooperatives.

National Dairy Development Board - Initiatives

National Dairy Plan

The National Dairy Plan (NDP), a central sector strategy with the following objectives, is implemented by the NDDB:

• To assist in increasing the productivity of dairy animals and, as a result, milk production in order to fulfil the rapidly growing demand for milk.
• To assist rural milk farmers in gaining more access to the organised milk-processing industry.
• Phase I of the NDP was implemented from 2011-12 to 2018-19. The NDP was partly funded by a loan from the World Bank's International Development Association, with NDDB appointing implementing agencies in each state. 
• The NDP-1's purpose was to improve the breed by producing high-genetic bulls and expanding the co-operative structure's reach.
• NDP Phase II, with a budget of Rs.8000 crore, would be implemented between 2020 and 2025. The project's goals are to improve dairy cooperatives' milk processing capacity and infrastructure.

Milk Fortification Project

• The National Dairy Development Board's (NDDB) Milk Fortification Project aims to treat vitamin insufficiency in consumers.
• The project intends to process around two million tonnes of fortified milk, reaching approximately 30 million people.
• The project will last for 23 months. It is funded by the World Bank's South Asia Food and Nutrition Security Initiative (SAFANSI).

NDDB MRIDA Limited

• Under the Companies Act of 2013, NDDB incorporated NDDB MRIDA Limited, an unlisted public limited company.
• It will provide dairy producers with additional money from the selling of slurry/dung.
• Farmers will benefit from cost reductions as a result of replacing cooking fuel with biogas.

SuDhan

• NDDB has registered a trademark called "SuDhan" to give dung-based organic fertilisers a unified brand.

Conclusion

One of its major successes has been the White Revolution (Operation Flood) that transformed India into one of the largest milk producers in the world. Hence, NDDB’s efforts changed India’s rural economy into a profitable dairying industry by making dairying an economic activity for millions of milk producers, while also addressing the country's need for self-sufficiency in milk production.

FAQs

MCQs

1. What is the main objective of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)?

A) To manage the marketing of agricultural products
B) To improve the dairy industry by supporting cooperatives
C) To regulate milk prices in the country
D) To control international dairy trade

2. Which of the following is a key function of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)?

A) Establishment of retail stores for milk sales
B) Promoting the establishment of dairy cooperatives
C) Importing milk from foreign countries
D) Setting up agricultural insurance schemes

3. What is the role of Amul in the context of the National Dairy Development Board?

A) It operates independently without any support from NDDB
B) It serves as a model cooperative for NDDB
C) It regulates milk prices across the country
D) It imports dairy products for the Indian market

4. How does NDDB support dairy farmers in India?

A) By providing them with subsidies for foreign imports
B) By organizing them into cooperatives for better control over milk production
C) By offering fixed price contracts to farmers
D) By directly controlling the milk prices in the market

5. Which of the following is NOT a function of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)?

A) Promoting cooperative development in dairy farming
B) Enhancing milk production and quality
C) Providing loans and financial assistance to dairy farmers
D) Regulating international dairy trade policies

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Evaluate the impact of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) on the economic growth of India’s dairy sector.

Answer: The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) has played a pivotal role in the economic growth of India’s dairy sector. By fostering the development of dairy cooperatives and improving milk production techniques, NDDB has helped increase India's milk production, making it the largest producer in the world. Through initiatives like the National Dairy Plan, NDDB has contributed to enhancing milk yield and promoting sustainable dairy farming practices. The cooperative model promoted by NDDB has empowered millions of small-scale dairy farmers by giving them control over pricing and distribution. Moreover, NDDB's focus on improving the infrastructure for dairy processing has contributed to the growth of dairy-based industries, resulting in higher income for farmers and improved food security for the country.

Q2: Discuss the role of NDDB in promoting cooperative farming in India’s dairy sector.

Answer: NDDB has been instrumental in promoting cooperative farming within India’s dairy sector, a model that has proven to be highly successful in empowering small-scale farmers. By forming dairy cooperatives, NDDB helps farmers collectively manage milk production, distribution, and processing, ensuring better prices and fair remuneration for their produce. The cooperative model reduces the exploitation by middlemen and creates a stable income for farmers. NDDB provides financial assistance, training, and technical expertise to these cooperatives, improving milk production, animal health, and farm management. As a result, cooperative farming has facilitated inclusive growth in the dairy sector and has helped many farmers increase their productivity and livelihood.

Q3: How does the National Dairy Development Board support sustainability in India’s dairy farming?

Answer: NDDB supports sustainability in India’s dairy farming by promoting practices that ensure long-term environmental, economic, and social viability. Through its programs, NDDB advocates for sustainable farming techniques, such as efficient water usage, fodder management, and the reduction of carbon footprints. The Board also focuses on animal welfare, veterinary care, and the use of improved breeding techniques to enhance productivity. Additionally, NDDB promotes the use of organic farming practices and supports the development of eco-friendly dairy farming infrastructure. By addressing both the ecological and economic aspects of dairy farming, NDDB contributes to the sustainability of the sector, ensuring that it can continue to support farmers and feed the growing population of India.

Previous Year Questions on NDDB

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020:

Question: What is the primary function of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)?

A) Regulating milk prices in the country
B) Promoting dairy cooperatives and improving milk production
C) Managing foreign dairy trade
D) Implementing animal welfare programs

Answer: (B)

Explanation: The primary function of NDDB is to promote dairy cooperatives and enhance milk production through technical support, financial assistance, and capacity building for dairy farmers.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2021 (GS Paper 2):

Question: "Examine the role of NDDB in the development of dairy cooperatives and its impact on rural economy."

Answer: NDDB has been central to the development of dairy cooperatives in India, which has had a profound impact on the rural economy. By organizing dairy farmers into cooperatives, NDDB has helped them obtain better control over milk pricing, production, and distribution. This has not only improved the income of farmers but also contributed to rural development by creating jobs in dairy farming and processing. The cooperative model has facilitated the equitable distribution of income, reduced exploitation by middlemen, and ensured a steady supply of quality milk. NDDB's support has transformed the rural dairy industry, making it a key contributor to India's economic growth and food security.