World Milk Day The World Milk Day is commemorated every year on June 01 by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations to celebrate all aspects of milk. The first World Milk Day was held in 2001. Need The Day provides an opportunity to focus attention on milk and to publicise activities connected with milk and the milk industry. The fact that many countries choose to do this on the same day lends additional importance to individual national celebrations and shows that milk is a global food. June 01 was chosen for the World Milk Day because a number of countries were already celebrating a national milk day on or around this time. National Milk Day National Milk Day is celebrated every year on November 26. This special day honours the birth anniversary of Dr. Verghese Kurien, the "Father of the White Revolution in India," highlighting the achievement and importance of the dairy sector in our country. Born on November 26, 1921, in Kozhikode, Kerala, Dr. Kurien was instrumental in transforming India from a milkdeficient nation to the world's largest producer of milk. This day underscores the transformative impact of India’s dairy sector, a key contributor to nutritional security, rural empowerment, and economic growth. Milk production in India India holds the 1st position in global milk production for several years now, and contributes nearly a quarter of the world’s supply. The dairy sector has grown into one of the strongest pillars of the rural economy and has become central to food and nutritional security. Currently, dairy is the largest agricultural product in India, contributing 5 percent to the national economy and directly employing more than 8 crore farmers (as per National Accounts Statistics). The sector touches more than 8 crore rural households, many of whom are small and marginal farmers. Women play a significant role in production and collection, which makes dairy a strong driver of inclusive growth. Milk production during 2023-24 is 239.30 million tonnes, showing an annual growth of 5.7% over the last 10 years. The per capita availability of milk is around 471 grams/day in 2023- 24. India’s 303.76 million bovines, which include cattle, buffalo, mithun and yak, form the backbone of both dairy production and draught power in agriculture. Between 2014 and 2022, India recorded a 27.39% growth in productivity of bovines (Kg/year), the Highest in the World, ahead of China, Germany and Denmark. India's milk revolution Following the visit of Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri to Anand district of Gujarat in 1964, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) was created in 1965 with a mandate to support creation of the Anand pattern of dairy cooperatives across the country through Operation Flood (OF) programme. Verghese Kurien, the first chairman of NDDB, along with his team commenced work on the launch of the project which envisaged the organization of Anand-pattern cooperatives in milksheds across the country from where liquid milk produced and procured by milk cooperatives would be transported to cities. The cooperative dairy sector in India is extensive and well organised. As of 2025, It includes 22 milk federations, 241 district cooperative unions, 28 marketing dairies and 25 Milk Producer Organisations (MPOs). Together, they cover about 2.35 lakh villages and have 1.72 crore dairy farmers as members. The Government of India has introduced several initiatives in this sector including National Dairy Plan (NDP), Dairy Processing and Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF), Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD), A-HELP (Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production), Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) for Dairy Farmers etc. These initiatives are aimed at enhancing milk production, improving productivity, and uplifting rural livelihoods. On the occasion of Milk Day, the National Gopal Ratna Awards are presented to the winners of the Best Dairy Farmer rearing indigenous cattle/buffalo breeds, Best Artificial Insemination Technician and Best Dairy Cooperative Society (DCS)/ Milk Producer Company/ Dairy Farmer Producer Organization in the country. Nutritive facts of Milk Milk is considered as nature’s most unique food. The major and minor constituents/nutrients of milk include milk fat, protein (casein and whey proteins), carbohydrates (lactose, also known as milk sugar), minerals (calcium, phosphorous), vitamins (A, B, D), enzymes etc. The nutrients in milk are present in a balanced proportion making it a complete food. In addition most of these nutrients (such as minerals) in milk are present in a form that are easily absorbed in our body. Some individual components of milk also exhibit specific nutritional and health promoting properties. Since time immemorial , milk is being consumed by the human beings of all age groups, either as liquid milk or in the form of various nutritious products such as dahi, paneer, buttermilk (chhass), shrikhand, ghee, butter (makhan), milk based sweets, etc. The unique composition of milk (water and other nutrients) makes it a highly perishable commodity. It is an ideal medium for growth of microorganisms and, therefore, highly susceptible to microbial spoilage. If not produced and handled in a proper hygienic manner, various types of spoilage and disease-producing organisms can grow in milk and milk products and make these unfit/unsafe for human consumption. Source : National Dairy Development Board