For 100% circularity in dairy sector, go beyond dung and process skin, bones: Amit Shah, Pg 12

Expanding Circularity in Dairy Sector

• Amit Shah emphasized that circularity in dairy should go beyond dung processing and include skin, bones, and machinery production.
• Directed NDDB (National Dairy Development Board) to explore village-level cooperatives for processing cattle by-products.

Utilization of Cattle By-products

• Processing skin and bones within the cooperative sector instead of sending them to the unorganized market.
• Farmers can profit by selling processed skin to shoe manufacturers.

Enhancing Dairy Cooperatives

• Cooperatives should:
  • Process dung into biogas to support private dairies.
  • Manufacture dairy-related machinery and export globally.

Building a Farm-to-Factory Value Chain

• Focus on setting up entire dairy value chains within villages.
• Objective: Enable marginal farmers to move from village-level production to global markets through collective cooperative efforts.
• “Profit for People” Model: Ensuring cooperatives prioritize both economic growth and social welfare.

Analysis & Way Forward

• Expanding dairy circularity can increase rural income, reduce waste, and create employment.
• Government support for cooperatives in processing, biogas production, and machinery manufacturing can enhance self-reliance.
• A structured farm-to-factory ecosystem will boost India’s dairy exports and improve rural sustainability.

Mains Mock Question:

"Discuss the role of circular economy principles in India’s dairy sector. How can cooperative models enhance sustainability and rural livelihoods?"