Digitalising India's Dairy Sector: Building a Smarter, Transparent, and Farmer-Centric Ecosystem

India is the world's largest producer of milk, accounting for 25% of global output, showing the significance and robustness of the dairy sector. As the sector continues to expand, digital tools are playing an increasingly crucial role in improving productivity, transparency, and farmer welfare. The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) has been at the forefront of this transformation, developing digital platforms that connect farmers, cooperatives, and stakeholders across the dairy value chain. These initiatives aim to modernise operations, reduce inefficiencies, and enhance traceability, ultimately strengthening the world's largest dairy ecosystem.

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National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM)
The National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM), implemented by NDDB in collaboration with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), represents a major step toward a unified digital livestock ecosystem called “Bharat Pashudhan.”

To enhance data-driven livestock management, the Bharat Pashudhan database records field activities such as breeding, artificial insemination, health services, vaccination, and treatment, with over 84 crore transactions logged. Field personnel, including veterinarians and extension workers, assist farmers in accessing this system.

The NDLM uses digital tools such as unique animal identification, data integration, and mobile applications to empower farmers and improve productivity. It aims to ensure every animal in India has a digital identity, linking it to health records and productivity data. NDDB provides both technical and financial support to implement this mission across states.

In line with international practices, a unique 12-digit bar-coded Tag ID in the form of an ear tag is being issued to all livestock animals. This unique code has been named “Pashu Aadhar”, and it acts as a primary key for registering all types of transactions done on the animals, such as Vaccination, Breeding, Treatment, etc. All these transactions can be viewed at a single place against the Tag ID and shall be visible to the farmer as well as to the field veterinarians and workers for respective animals/area. Till November 2025, over 35.68 Crore Pashu Aadhaar have been generated.

Under the National Digital Livestock Mission, the 1962 App provides authenticated information on best practices and government schemes. Besides, the toll-free number 1962 is available to the farmers to get the veterinary services through Mobile Veterinary Units at their doorstep.

Automatic Milk Collection System