Punjab Farmers Shift from Crops to Dairy
A growing number of farmers in Punjab are moving away from the traditional wheat–paddy cycle towards dairy farming, seeking better and more stable incomes. A notable example is Gurnam Singh from Gurdaspur, who transitioned after receiving training at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Gurdaspur in 2016 and formally entered dairy farming in 2017–18. Today, he manages…
IICMA Celebrates Ice Cream Day Nationwide
The Indian Ice Cream Manufacturers Association (IICMA) marked Ice Cream Day across India on March 27, encouraging consumers to celebrate the country’s growing love for ice cream as a year-round indulgence rather than just a seasonal treat. The association highlighted how ice cream today spans from street-side vendors to premium parlours, uniting consumers across demographics…
Full-Fat Dairy Gains Ground on Health Benefits
Emerging research is challenging decades-old dietary advice as full-fat dairy products like milk, yoghurt and cheese show potential health benefits rather than harm. Studies highlighted in a recent report indicate that full-fat dairy may have neutral or even positive effects on heart and metabolic health, with one trial at University College Dublin showing that consuming…
Women Farmers Drive India’s Dairy Backbone
Women farmers are emerging as the invisible backbone of India’s agriculture and dairy ecosystem, contributing 60–75% of total agricultural labour while forming nearly 80% of marginal farmers, yet remaining significantly under-recognised in policy and ownership structures. Their role spans the entire value chain—from sowing and livestock management to post-harvest handling—while also contributing an estimated 3.5…
LPG Crisis Halves Milk Sales for Dairy Farmers
Dairy farmers in Madhya Pradesh are facing severe disruption as an ongoing LPG shortage—linked to global supply tensions—has cut milk sales by nearly 50%, forcing distress selling and operational challenges across the value chain. A ground report from Indore highlights that a typical farm producing around 1,000 litres of milk daily (600 litres own +…
16 Dead in Andhra Milk Adulteration Tragedy
India’s National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a deadly milk adulteration incident in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari district, where 16 people have died since mid-February 2026 after consuming contaminated milk. At least four others remain under medical treatment, with symptoms linked to acute renal dysfunction and multi-organ failure. Investigations have traced…
Milk Collection Centres Under Cooperative Framework
Milk collection centres of GCMMF, which markets dairy items under the Amul brand, and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) will be brought under a cooperative framework to ensure that farmers get adequate profit, the government told a Parliamentary panel. On Monday, a Standing Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Food Processing presented a report…
₹60L Fine After Worms Found in Amul Curd
Indian Railways has imposed a total penalty of ₹60 lakh on the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation and its catering vendor after a serious food safety lapse onboard the Vande Bharat Express. The action follows a March 15, 2026 complaint from train number 21896 (Patna–Tatanagar route), where a passenger discovered worms in a packaged…
Army Rejects 125 MT Milk Powder from Milkfed
The Indian Army has rejected an entire consignment of ~125 metric tonnes (MT) of whole milk powder supplied by Punjab’s state-run dairy cooperative Milkfed under its Verka brand, after two batches failed quality checks. The rejection was communicated by an Army Service Corps unit based in Jammu to the Ludhiana District Cooperative Milk Producers Union,…
Akshayakalpa Revenue Jumps 52%, Expands Reach
Premium organic dairy brand Akshayakalpa is accelerating its growth trajectory with revenues expected to reach ₹600 crore in FY26, marking a 52% increase from ₹395 crore in FY25, as it expands into new markets and strengthens its presence beyond its core southern regions. The company is entering newer geographies, including western markets such as Maharashtra,…