I am thrilled to announce the resounding success of the 50^th Dairy Industry Conference (DIC), organized by the Indian Dairy Association (IDA), held at the Hitex Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad during March 4^th to 6^th, 2024. This edition of DIC has been a monumental achievement, continuing the tradition of growth and excellence that defines this prestigious event. With each passing year, DIC expands its horizons, setting new benchmarks and reinforcing its position as the premier platform for showcasing the strength and vitality of the Indian Dairy Industry on a global scale.

This year's DIC was the grandest and largest ever, drawing participation from 2000 delegates from across India and nearly participants from 30 other countries. The Dairy Expo, spanning over 11,000 square meters, in 3 exhibition halls in which about 210 business firms showcased their manufacturing and service capabilities, stood as one of the largest exhibitions.

This year's conference, themed "Indian Dairying: Innovation and Entrepreneurship," delved into contemporary issues surrounding dairy entrepreneurship, underpinned by innovative practices within the industry. The event featured a curated selection of technical sessions, including CEO Conclave, Farmers sessions, and Lead talks. Additionally, distinguished lectures, such as the Dr. Verghese Kurien Memorial Lecture and Prof. M.R. Srinivasan Memorial Lecture, enriched the inaugural session with valuable insights.

The Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister, State of Telangana, Shri Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and underscored the pivotal role of Dairy and Animal Husbandry in bolstering the rural agrarian economy. He also highlighted the significant contribution of women in driving the dairy economy forward. The Hon'ble Agriculture Minister, Telangana, Shri Tummala Nageshwara Rao, inaugurated the Dairy Expo. He emphasized the crucial role of dairy sector in supporting the overall agricultural economy and providing vital financial support to farmers nationwide.

Dr. Meenesh Shah, Chairman, National Dairy Development Board, delivered a Keynote address, shedding light on innovative approaches aimed at enhancing supply chain efficiency. Dr. Dheer Singh, Director & Vice Chancellor, National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, commemorated NDRI's centurylong journey and highlighted the institute's role in developing cutting-edge technologies.

In my Presidential address, I underscored the profound contribution of dairying to both the rural economy and nutritional security. I expressed my belief that with the right incentives and support, India has the potential to emerge as the Milk Bowl of the World. India, the largest milk producer globally for the past two decades, continues to demonstrate robust growth at 4.5%, outpacing the global milk production growth rate of 2%.

During the Inaugural session, awards were conferred upon distinguished dairy professionals from across the country for their outstanding contributions to Indian dairying. Notably, Lifetime Achievement award was bestowed upon Shri R.G. Chandramogan, Chairman, Hatson Agro Product Ltd., for his remarkable contributions to the dairy industry. Additionally, individuals such as Shri Ajay Kumar Khosla, Dr. C.S. Prasad, Dr. K.S. Ramachandra, Shri R.K. Chugh, Shri Adityakumar Premchand Jain, and Dr. Rahul Saxena were recognized for their exemplary service with awards and accolades. The Best Women Dairy Farmer's award was also presented to deserving recipients from all four Zones of IDA: North, West, East, and South.

I thank you the Sponsors and Exhibitors for their overwhelm support to IDA in organizing the outstanding Golden Jubilee 50th DIC.

The latest Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES), released by NSSO under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, covers the period from August 2022 to July 2023. The survey's objective is to provide estimates of household Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE) and its distribution across rural and urban sectors, states, Union Territories, and various socio-economic groups.

According to the survey findings, the average MPCE at current prices (without imputation) more than doubled in urban areas, reaching Rs. 6,459 in 2022-23 from Rs. 2,630 in 2011-12. Similarly, in rural areas, it increased to Rs. 3,773 from Rs. 1,430 at current prices. Milk and milk products remain the top category within the food segment, ranking next only to beverages, processed foods, and purchased cooked meals in both urban and rural India. This trend has persisted since the 1990-2000 period, with milk consistently holding a significant share of total household expenditure.

In the latest study, the share of cereals and pulses within overall food consumption expenditure has decreased in both rural and urban areas. The expenditure on milk has surpassed that on cereals and pulses combined, including edible oil in urban India. Notably, spending on milk and milk products exceeds the combined expenditure on dal, roti, and sugar in both rural and urban India.

In rural areas, the MPCE for cereals, pulses, and salt & sugar was Rs. 296 (7.85% of rural MPCE), while for milk and milk products, it was Rs. 314 (8.33% of rural MPCE). In urban areas, the corresponding figures were Rs. 364 (5.63% of urban MPCE) for cereals, pulses, and salt & sugar, and Rs. 466 (7.22% of urban MPCE) for milk and milk products.

Considering that India imports over 75% of its edible oil requirements, it is evident that milk holds the distinction of being the largest agricultural crop in India, with its value of output surpassing that of food grains, pulses, and oilseeds combined. Both urban and rural households allocate approximately 18% of their total food expenditure to milk and milk products.

India's milk production has nearly tripled from 80 million metric tons in 2000 to 230 million metric tons in 2023, while the population has increased by 30% from 106 crores in 2000 to 140 crores presently. The per capita consumption of milk, as indicated by the MPCE data, exceeds 330 ml per person per day, underscoring the nutritional significance of milk in our diet.

A recent discovery at a McDonald's outlet in Ahmednagar revealed the use of cheese analogues or vegetable oil-based cheese alternatives in items like burgers and wraps, without proper disclosure to consumers. Such deceptive practices not only violate consumer rights but also pose potential health hazards. This incident serves as a cautionary tale for other food chains, highlighting the critical importance of ingredient transparency and the risks associated with misleading practices. The Indian Dairy Association (IDA) vehemently condemns such deceptive actions by food chains and urges authorities to take immediate action to address and prevent such practices.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the upcoming March-May period is expected to be prolonged and dry, with an increase in the number of heat wave days and above-average temperatures nationwide. This forecast is welcomed by dairy product manufacturers, particularly those producing milk beverages, ice creams, Lassi and Buttermilk, as they anticipate heightened demand for their products amidst rising mercury levels during the summer season. The industry faced challenges due to untimely rainfall in the summer of 2023, which impacted sales. However, with the sector adapting to changing consumer preferences, there is optimism for a better summer season in 2024.