Dairy farming is emerging as a key pillar of the rural economy in Jammu and Kashmir, with rising milk production, expanding cooperative networks and government-backed subsidy schemes helping generate income and employment opportunities across the Union Territory.
Official figures reveal that milk production increased to 29.73 lakh metric tonnes in 2024-25, up from 28.74 lakh metric tonnes in 2023-24 and 28.17 lakh metric tonnes in 2022-23, reflecting steady growth in the sector.
Officials attribute the increase to improved dairy infrastructure, greater participation by rural households and focused government interventions aimed at strengthening the livestock sector.
Among the flagship initiatives driving growth are the Integrated Dairy Development Scheme (IDDS) and the Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (DEDS), which provide financial assistance for establishing dairy farms and related infrastructure.
Under the IDDS, subsidies of up to 50 per cent are available for setting up dairy farms, milk ATMs and cold storage facilities, helping modernise milk production and improve storage and marketing systems.
The sector has increasingly become an important supplementary source of income for farming families, particularly in rural areas where agriculture and horticulture continue to be the primary occupations.
“I established a dairy farm in 2024 under the IDDS scheme. The subsidy enabled me to purchase cows and create basic infrastructure. Earlier, farming alone was not sufficient to sustain my family,” said Ghulam Rasool, a farmer from Pulwama district.
Jammu and Kashmir’s dairy cooperative network has also witnessed significant expansion, with nearly 1,700 dairy cooperative societies comprising around 70,000 milk producers affiliated with the Jammu and Kashmir Milk Producers Cooperative Limited, the apex dairy federation of the UT.
According to official figures, the federation currently procures and processes nearly 2.5 lakh litres of milk daily, providing organised procurement and marketing channels for dairy farmers.
Officials said ongoing investments in milk processing, storage and dairy infrastructure are expected to create nearly 16,000 jobs and support the establishment of around 600 enterprises in Jammu and Kashmir by 2028.
Experts believe the sector’s growth is generating employment opportunities not only in milk production but also in transportation, feed supply, milk collection and processing, making dairy farming an increasingly important contributor to the region’s rural economy.
