On behalf of the Indian Dairy Association, I express my sincere appreciation to the Government of India for its steadfast commitment to safeguarding the interests of the dairy sector during the India-EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations. Dairy is not merely an economic activity, but the backbone of rural livelihoods, nutritional security, and inclusive growth in our country. The Government's decision to treat dairy as a sensitive sector reflects a deep understanding of its socio-economic importance and the need to protect millions of small and marginal farmers who depend on it. We commend this balanced and farmer-centric approach, which reinforces confidence among stakeholders and ensures that India's dairy ecosystem continues to grow sustainably while engaging with global trade frameworks.

The Union Budget 2026 reflects a clear recognition of the critical role played by the dairy sector in India's rural economy. The enhanced focus on animal husbandry, veterinary infrastructure, disease prevention, cooperatives, and dairy value-chain development sends a positive signal to millions of dairy farmers across the country. Measures aimed at strengthening veterinary services, promoting dairy entrepreneurship, supporting cooperatives, and encouraging sustainable practices such as biogas and circular economy initiatives will directly contribute to improving farmer incomes and productivity. The Indian Dairy Association welcomes this farmer-centric and growth-oriented approach and looks forward to working closely with the Government and other stakeholders to ensure that these Budget provisions are effectively implemented and translate into tangible benefits for the dairy sector.

The recent India-United States interim trade framework is a calibrated, phased arrangement intended to reset and stabilise bilateral trade ties while negotiations continue toward a broader bilateral trade agreement. The framework combines reciprocal tariff adjustments with commitments on a set of trade facilitation measures, while leaving sensitive product lines under protective treatment where necessary. Early government statements and trade analyses stress that agricultural lines – and dairy in particular – were treated as sensitive, with safeguards kept in place to protect domestic producers. The Commerce Ministry and industry interlocutors have indicated that the framework preserves protection for the vast majority of India's farm outputs and that specific feed material imports (for example, limited volumes of DDGS) will not displace domestic milk production or smallholder livelihoods. These reassurances reflect a cautious, phased approach: India preserves sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) safeguards and recognition requirements (e.g., FMD controls and other animalhealth measures) while negotiating market access. The Government of India has also indicated that further details regarding the broader India-United States Free Trade Agreement will be unveiled in due course, providing greater clarity to stakeholders across sectors, including the dairy.

What this implies for the dairy sector: (1) Short-term disruption risk is low, provided SPS rules, tariff lines, and safeguard clauses remain enforceable; (2) Mediumterm opportunity exists for Indian value-added dairy exports (powders, specialty cheeses, lactose derivatives) if India invests in traceability, residue-free production, and OIE/ Codex compliance; (3) Policy priorities should include accelerating FMD-free zone certification, tightening antibiotic-residue controls, and expanding cold-chain infrastructure and quality-graded procurement systems to capture premium export niches. These are practical, actionable steps that will place producers - especially cooperatives and MSME processors – in a stronger negotiating position.

In this transformative policy environment, the 52nd Dairy Industry Conference (12-14 February 2026, Yashobhoomi, New Delhi) emerged as a landmark platform for dialogue, innovation, and collective resolve. Organized by the Indian Dairy Association (North Zone) in association with the IDA Western Chapter, the Conference brought together more than 2,000 participants, including farmers, processors, scientists, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and global representatives. The theme – "Empowering Rural India through Dairy Entrepreneurship" – resonated strongly with our shared mission of inclusive and sustainable growth.

The inaugural session, graced by Shri Chirag Paswan, Hon'ble Union Minister for Food Processing Industries; Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, Hon'ble Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying; and Dr. Meenesh Shah, Chairman, National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), underscored the importance of quality compliance, global competitiveness, and farmer welfare. The presence of international dignitaries, including leadership from the International Dairy Federation, further reinforced India's rising global stature.

The Conference deliberations were substantive and forward-looking. Technical sessions emphasized sustainability, efficiency, and inclusivity, with particular focus on women-centric dairy models that have demonstrably improved rural incomes. Examples of women-led Milk Producer Organizations empowering tens of thousands of rural women highlight the sector's social multiplier effect. The discussions also addressed critical concerns such as milk adulteration, sanitation gaps, water footprint, and antimicrobial resistance, emphasizing the need for stronger quality control systems and responsible resource management.

A strong technological narrative ran across the sessions: precision dairying, genomic selection, wearable livestock sensors, AI-driven herd monitoring, blockchain-enabled traceability, rapid adulteration detection through microfluidics, and climate-resilient feeding strategies. The CEO Conclave highlighted the importance of cooperative-private-startup coexistence, infrastructure investments, and the digitalization of milk collection networks. The Poster and Young Researchers' Oral Presentation sessions showcased cutting-edge research across production, processing, food safety, business management, and multidisciplinary innovation, reflecting the scientific depth driving the next phase of dairy transformation.

Importantly, the Conference reaffirmed that future competitiveness will depend not only on volume growth but on value creation - low somatic cell counts, zero antibiotic residues, sustainable packaging, methanereducing feed additives, and compliance with evolving global regulations. As India looks toward 2047 - the centenary of independence – the roadmap is clear: productivity enhancement through precision breeding and nutrition; sustainability through climate-smart practices; export orientation through alignment with global standard alignment; and inclusivity through women and youth entrepreneurship.

In conclusion, March 2026 presents both optimism and responsibility. Trade negotiations with the European Union and the United States require calibrated engagement. The Union Budget provides fiscal momentum. The 52nd Dairy Industry Conference has delivered intellectual clarity and sectoral alignment. As the Indian Dairy Association, our commitment remains unwavering: to safeguard farmer interests, promote policy coherence, advocate science-led transformation, and position India not merely as the world's largest milk producer, but as the world's most respected, qualitydriven, and sustainable dairy ecosystem.

Together, through cooperative and corporate spirit, technological innovation, and policy foresight, we will continue to strengthen the bridge between rural and urban India – ensuring nutrition security, economic resilience, and global leadership for the Indian dairy sector.