International Dairy Federation World Dairy Summit 2024

Pashu Sandesh, 20 October 2024

At the International Dairy Federation World Dairy Summit 2024 (#IDFWDS2024), Ms Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, engaged in a pivotal session on global dairy sustainability. Themed "Moving Forward on Global Dairy Sustainability," the session focused on embracing long-term approaches through public-private partnerships, public policies, incentives, and necessary financial measures.

Ms. Upadhyaya underscored the critical need to make the agricultural sector, particularly dairy farming, more attractive and sustainable. Highlighting the importance of training farmers to adopt the latest technologies and innovations, she emphasized that India is actively conducting pilots in renewable energy. With the support of private sector players, efforts are now underway to scale up interventions in the biogas and bio-CNG spectrum.

She proposed creating a knowledge-based management system within the International Dairy Federation (IDF) to facilitate sharing best practices. Ms. Upadhyaya stressed the importance of public-private partnerships and rigorous research to ensure farmers are involved from the onset, preventing policy failures. Furthermore, she highlighted the significant roles that international organizations like the IDF and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) play in supporting farmers and creating sustainable markets.

Ms Upadhyaya reaffirmed the Indian government's commitment to supporting sustainable dairy practices and protecting farmers' interests, marking a significant step toward a more sustainable future in the dairy industry.