Milk Production and Marketing with Special Reference to Madurai District, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

The dairy sector occupies an important place in the agricultural economy of India as milk is the second largest agricultural commodity in contributing to GNP, next only to rice. India is the world’s largest milk producer, accounting for more than 13 per cent of world’s total milk production. If it isthe world largest consumers of dairy products that consumers almost 100 per cent of its own milk production. Dairy products are a major source of cheap and nutritious food to millions of people in India and the only acceptable source of animal protein for large vegetarian segment of Indian population, particularly among landless, small and marginal farmers and women. Milk has contributed immeasurably to health, nutrition and pleasure of mankind and thus it forms a vital part of the human diet in most societies throughout the world. Dairy products are tailored to suit the changing social and dietary habits of many people in different parts of the world. They have encouraged the dairy industries of many countries to take a new look at the range of dairy products.