No MSP for milk, government confirms

The question asked the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying about steps to ensure remunerative prices for dairy farmers, the proposal for a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for milk, and details on milk quality surveillance and penalties. The government replied with a statement outlining current initiatives, market structure, and enforcement data.

Asked and answered by: Asked by Shri Naveen Jindal; Answered by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh).

What the government said

• India ranks first in the world in milk production, with output increasing from 146 MMT in 2014–15 to 248 MMT in 2024–25 (a 69% increase).
• 17.27 crore artificial inseminations (AIs) have been performed, raising AI coverage from 20% to 42% and boosting milk productivity by 67%.
• In 2024–25, 37% of milk was consumed by farmers, while 63% entered the market; of the marketable surplus, 32% is handled by organized sectors and 68% remains in the unorganized sector.
• By March 2026, 36,283 new Dairy Cooperative Societies were established and 31,150 were strengthened.
• Approximately 168 lakh liters per day (LLPD) of milk chilling capacity has been set up, and 76,748 quality testing devices distributed.
• Projects with a total capacity of 418 LLPD for milk processing and value-addition have been approved.
• There is no proposal to fix an MSP for milk; prices are determined by cooperatives and private dairies based on market conditions.
• In FY 2025–26, 39,351 milk samples were analyzed, with 14,668 found non-conforming.
• 10,714 civil and 1,054 criminal cases were launched; 9,783 civil and 204 criminal cases resulted in penalties/convictions.
• Total penalties imposed were Rs. 34,37,16,477 (civil) and Rs. 34,51,000 (criminal).

Also in the document

• The government explicitly stated there is no proposal to introduce a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for milk.
• The answer notes that 68% of marketable surplus milk remains in the unorganized sector.
• The data provided for FY 2025–26 is marked as provisional as on 31.03.2026 and subject to revision based on further lab testing and court proceedings.