Bridge the Milk Divide for a Nutritionally Secure India
Jan. 30, 2025

Context

  • India’s dairy sector has long been celebrated for its remarkable supply-side achievements, with the White Revolution transforming the country into the world’s largest milk producer.
  • However, while production has surged, an equally pressing issue remains unaddressed—the stark disparities in milk consumption across socio-economic groups, regions, and social categories.
  • As the Union Budget 2025-26 approaches, policymakers must shift their focus toward equitable distribution to ensure that milk reaches the most vulnerable populations.

The Nutritional Importance of Milk

  • Milk is an essential source of protein, calcium, and micronutrients, playing a crucial role in supplementing predominantly plant-based Indian diets.
  • Research indicates that milk consumption is linked to improved child growth outcomes, reducing the risks of stunting, underweight, and other anthropometric failures among children aged six months to five years.
  • Despite these benefits, access to milk remains highly inequitable, with significant disparities based on income, geography, and social background.

The Extent of Inequality in Milk Consumption and the Challenges in Ensuring Equitable Access

  • Income-Based Disparities
    • According to the latest Household Consumer Expenditure Surveys (HCES) conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), households in the top income decile (the richest 10%) consume three to four times more milk per capita than those in the lowest-income decile (the poorest 10%).
    • While consumption has increased among lower-income groups, this growth has not been sufficient to bridge the gap.
    • The poorest 30% of Indian households account for only 18% of total milk consumption, despite making up a much larger share of the population.
    • Wealthier households not only consume more milk but also have access to value-added dairy products like cheese, flavoured milk, and packaged dairy sweets.
    • For low-income households, the high cost of milk forces them to prioritise more affordable calorie-dense foods, often leading to poor nutrition.
    • Although India has a robust dairy industry, the affordability gap means that even though milk is widely produced, it does not necessarily reach those who need it most.
  • Urban-Rural Divide
    • India’s milk production is largely concentrated in rural areas, yet paradoxically, urban households consume about 30% more milk per capita than rural households.
    • Higher purchasing power in urban areas allows for greater consumption of milk and dairy products.
    • The presence of organised retail chains and supermarkets in cities provides easier access to processed and packaged milk.
    • Urban diets are more diverse, and milk is often included in multiple forms, such as coffee, tea, milkshakes, and yogurt-based products.
    • In contrast, rural populations—despite producing most of India’s milk—consume less due to lower incomes, traditional dietary habits, and limited access to refrigeration.
  • Regional Disparities
    • Milk consumption varies drastically across different states, reflecting regional differences in dietary preferences, economic conditions, and dairy industry development.
    • Northern and Western states (Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat) consume 333 to 421 grams of milk per capita daily at home.
    • These regions have a strong dairy culture, with milk being a staple in their diets.
    • Eastern states (Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and West Bengal) consume only 75 to 171 grams per capita daily, much lower than the recommended levels.
    • Dairy consumption is lower in these states due to factors such as dietary traditions, economic constraints, and weaker dairy supply chains.
    • States with strong dairy cooperative movements, such as Gujarat (home to Amul), have higher per capita milk consumption, whereas states with weaker dairy infrastructures struggle with accessibility and affordability.
  • Social and Cultural Disparities
    • Scheduled Tribe (ST) households consume four litres less milk per capita per month than General Category households.
    • Many ST communities belong to lower-income groups, making milk a luxury rather than a dietary staple.
    • Certain communities historically rely more on plant-based diets, with milk playing a lesser role in their nutrition.
    • Many ST populations live in remote areas with poor market infrastructure, making regular milk consumption challenging.
  • Out-of-Home Consumption and Underreporting
    • The NSSO Household Consumer Expenditure Surveys mainly capture at-home consumption, but this does not represent total milk consumption.
    • Approximately 50% of India’s total milk production is consumed outside the home, in forms such as:
      • Tea and coffee sold in restaurants, tea stalls, and roadside vendors.
      • Dairy-based sweets like rasgulla, gulab jamun, and paneer dishes consumed in eateries.
      • Packaged dairy drinks and flavoured milk products purchased from supermarkets.
    • This underreporting of out-of-home consumption likely worsens the perception of inequities because wealthier individuals, who dine out more frequently, are not fully accounted for in consumption surveys.

Policy Interventions for Equitable Milk Distribution

  • Enhancing Milk Access in Government Nutrition Programs
    • Government schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (POSHAN) program and the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) should integrate milk provisions to improve nutrition for children and mothers.
    • While states like Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, and Telangana have already implemented milk distribution in such programs, existing allocations remain insufficient.
    • Additionally, some states, such as Chhattisgarh, have discontinued milk provisions due to financial constraints.
    • Increased budgetary allocations and innovative funding mechanisms, such as social bonds and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, could help sustain and expand these programs.
  • Leveraging Dairy Markets for Targeted Support
    • In areas with strong dairy cooperative networks, governments could introduce milk coupons for low-income households.
    • This would enhance access while simultaneously supporting local dairy producers and reducing distribution costs.
  • Raising Awareness About Nutrition and Equitable Consumption
    • Awareness campaigns should emphasise the health benefits of milk while addressing consumption imbalances.
    • Grassroots initiatives, such as Maharashtra and Bihar’s campaigns during Poshan Maah 2024, demonstrate how targeted education can improve dietary diversity.
    • Outreach efforts through Anganwadi centres, self-help groups, and healthcare providers can further enhance nutrition literacy among women, who play a crucial role in household food decisions.
  • Encouraging Balanced Consumption Among Affluent Groups: Lesson from the UK
    • While addressing undernutrition is vital, overconsumption of high-fat dairy products among wealthy households must also be curbed.
    • Inspired by the United Kingdom’s Change4Life Sugar Swaps campaign, India could implement similar public health initiatives to promote balanced dairy consumption.
    • Collaborations with doctors, influencers, and media campaigns could help shift consumer behaviour, making milk more affordable and accessible for vulnerable populations.

Conclusion

  • India’s milk revolution has undoubtedly been a success in terms of production, but equitable access remains an urgent challenge.
  • Addressing consumption disparities through policy interventions, targeted subsidies, awareness campaigns, and innovative financing will ensure that milk benefits all sections of society.
  • By prioritising vulnerable populations while promoting balanced consumption among affluent groups, India can fulfil Verghese Kurien’s vision of a nutritionally secure nation.

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