Published Paper Details:

The dairy sector serves as a vital driver of rural economic development in India, offering livelihood security, nutritional support, and employment opportunities to millions of households. Rajasthan, traditionally characterised by arid and semi-arid conditions, has emerged as one of the leading milk-producing states, largely due to structured policy interventions. Among these, the National Dairy Plan (NDP), implemented in two phases since 2012, has played a transformative role in enhancing milk productivity, expanding cooperative networks, and improving market access for small and marginal farmers. This study evaluates the impact of NDP on milk production and cooperative growth in Rajasthan, using a descriptive-cum-analytical design based entirely on secondary data sourced from NDDB reports, Economic Surveys of Rajasthan, Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics, and relevant literature. Phase-wise analysis reveals three distinct growth patterns: the pre-NDP period (2001-2011) marked by steady but moderate growth (CAGR 5.71%), NDP Phase I (2012-2019) witnessing accelerated expansion (CAGR 9.05%) driven by genetic improvement, fodder development, and cooperative strengthening, and NDP Phase II (2020-2024) reflecting sectoral consolidation with slower growth (CAGR 4.17%) and a shift towards value addition. The findings underscore the pivotal role of cooperative procurement networks in sustaining production gains and facilitating farmer participation in organised markets. The study concludes that the NDP has significantly reshaped Rajasthan's dairy sector, transitioning it from quantity-driven expansion to a more mature, quality-oriented growth model. Policy recommendations emphasise value addition, climate-resilient practices, cooperative strengthening, and technological integration to ensure sustainable dairy sector development in the post-NDP era.