September once again provided the Indian dairy community an opportunity to remember Dr. Verghese Kurien, whose death anniversary reminds us not only of an extraordinary individual, but also of an idea that transformed the economic and social landscape of rural India. The dairy movement that Dr. Kurien helped build was founded on a simple but powerful principle: dairy development must place the farmer at the centre while simultaneously serving the consumer. As Indian dairying enters its next phase of development, this principle remains as relevant as ever.

The question before us is no longer simply whether India can produce more milk. We have already demonstrated that capability. The larger challenge is how we convert this enormous production base into greater value for farmers, better nutrition for consumers, globally competitive products and a more resilient and sustainable dairy economy.

India produced 247.87 million tonnes of milk in 2024-25, registering growth of 3.58% over the previous year, while per-capita availability reached 485 grams per day. The OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2026-2035 provides an even broader perspective, projecting that more than half of the growth in global milk production over the coming decade will originate from India.

This is a remarkable opportunity, but it also brings greater responsibility. Decisions taken in India will increasingly influence not only our farmers and consumers but also the wider global dairy landscape.

Consumer Trust and Science-Based Regulation
Food safety is non-negotiable, and the dairy industry fully supports strong action against deliberate adulteration, unsafe practices and fraudulent representation. At the same time, effective regulation must clearly distinguish between food that is unsafe, food that is sub-standard, food that is mislabelled and food that contains a legitimate dairy ingredient used in accordance with prescribed standards. These are different regulatory situations and should not inadvertently be treated as one category.

The recent public discussion surrounding milk powder, whey and other dairy ingredients reinforces the importance of laboratory evidence, scientifically appropriate terminology and precise communication. Regulation is most effective when it is based on measurable risk, sound science and clearly defined standards.

This brings me to an issue that deserves particular attention from the dairy sector-the proposed Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling (FoPNL) framework and related regulatory developments. The objective of helping consumers make informed food choices is entirely understandable and should be supported. However, the design of any nutrition-labelling system matters greatly. Dairy is not a single nutritional category. Milk, curd, yoghurt, paneer, cheese, whey products, ghee and other dairy foods differ significantly in their composition, serving patterns and nutritional roles.

A recent FSSAI draft Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and Balanced Diets for Children in School) Amendment Regulations, 2026, published in August 2026, proposes definitions for foods high in added fat, added sugar or sodium. The draft, among other provisions, specifies thresholds for such nutrients in solid and liquid foods, with comments invited until 9 October 2026.

The dairy sector's position should therefore be constructive and science-based. Nutrition policy should distinguish between nutrients naturally present in a food and those added during formulation, while also recognising that a food's nutritional contribution cannot always be represented by a single nutrient characteristic.

A sound assessment should consider the whole food matrix, nutrient density, portion size and consumption pattern, rather than allowing one nutritional parameter to become an unintended proxy for whether a traditional food is perceived as "healthy" or "unhealthy".

This is particularly relevant to dairy foods, which provide high-quality protein, calcium and several other important nutrients. A regulatory framework designed to address nutrients of concern should therefore be carefully calibrated so that it does not unintentionally create a negative perception of nutrient-dense dairy foods. The objective should be better-informed consumers-not simply more warning symbols.

Regulation Should Encourage Innovation
There is also an important opportunity for the dairy industry. We should not approach nutrition regulation only from a defensive perspective. The industry must take greater responsibility for providing transparent nutrition information, appropriate portion guidance and products aligned with evolving nutritional needs.

There is considerable scope for reformulation where appropriate, reduction of added sugars, development of high-protein dairy products and innovation in products designed for specific nutritional requirements.

The rapidly expanding markets for yoghurt, high-protein dairy, functional dairy products and specialised nutrition demonstrate that Indian consumers are seeking a more differentiated dairy basket.

This is an opportunity for Indian dairy companies, cooperatives, entrepreneurs and research institutions to innovate while maintaining the highest standards of food safety and nutritional integrity.

Clear Identity for Dairy and Dairy Analogues
Another development deserving our attention is the growing discussion around analogue dairy products. Several states have taken action concerning analogue paneer, while FSSAI is considering a broader national framework. The fundamental principle should be one of clarity and transparency.

Innovation and consumer choice should be encouraged. At the same time, products should be represented accurately according to their composition. A dairy product should be represented as dairy, while products made using non-dairy fats or proteins should be clearly identified in accordance with applicable standards.

Consumers have the right to know exactly what they are purchasing. Clear standards and transparent labelling can help protect consumers while also creating a level playing field for genuine dairy producers and responsible food businesses.

Keeping the Farmer at the Centre
Ultimately, no discussion on the future of Indian dairy can be complete without putting the farmer at the centre.

Rising costs of feed, fodder, labour and other inputs continue to put pressure on dairy economics in several regions. Farmer representations, including recent concerns raised in Haryana regarding cattle-feed and input costs, underline the importance of maintaining the economic viability of dairy farming.

At the same time, the Government continues to strengthen dairy infrastructure, procurement networks, milk testing, cold chains and value-added processing through programmes such as the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD).

The next phase of dairy development must ensure that improvements in productivity and value addition translate into stronger and more stable returns for milk producers.

Technology will play an increasingly important role-from artificial intelligence and precision dairy farming to improved genetics, animal health, feed management, milk quality testing and efficient processing. But technology will deliver its full value only when it reaches the farmer and contributes to better productivity, lower costs and improved returns.

A New Phase for Indian Dairy
India's dairy story is therefore entering a new phase. The challenge before us is no longer simply to produce more milk. It is to produce better milk, more efficiently; convert a greater proportion of milk into higher-value products; strengthen farmer incomes; improve nutritional outcomes; build consumer confidence; and create globally competitive dairy enterprises.

As the world's largest milk-producing nation, India has an opportunity-and a responsibility-to demonstrate that economic growth and food safety, innovation and tradition, consumer protection and farmer prosperity can move forward together.

Regulation will play an important role in this journey. It should be rigorous where risk is established, transparent in its scientific basis, proportionate in its application and supportive of responsible innovation.

The future of Indian dairy will ultimately depend on the confidence of three key stakeholders: The farmer who produces the milk, the consumer who trusts it, and the entrepreneur who invests in its transformation. Our collective responsibility is to ensure that this confidence becomes the foundation of India's next dairy revolution.