This policy briefing is based on Working Paper No. 2.
India produces more milk than any other country, 84 million tons in 2001. The majority of the dairy cattle are kept in small herds and the average annual milk yield per animal is a fraction of those achieved in the USA and New Zealand. The paper identifies this sector as one with high potential for growth and poverty alleviation.
The briefing contains summaries of the farm types found in India, the costs of milk production and the prospects for landless dairy farmers. Recommendations for raising productivity, reducing poverty and increasing the marketplace power of producers, are made.