Introduction

Introduction

Agriculture along with animal husbandary has been and will continue to be the lifeline of indian economy. India has the highest livestock production wit 50% of the buffaloes and 20% of the worlds cattle population,most of which ar milch cows and milch buffaloes. India as emerged as the largest milk producing country in the world with present level of annual milk production estimated as 94.5 million tonnes. It is the most important sector of the indian economy particularly in poverty alleviation and employment generation. This sector contributes closte to one fourth of indias national income and total work force engaged in agriculture is about 60 per cent.

At global level, milk has been identified as an integral part of food for centuries. The success of white revolution in india has largely een written by millions of small holder. About 70 million dairy farmers produce more than 50 per cent of the milk in the country. Milk and milk products such as curd, flavoured milk. ghee, butter , paneer etc . are the important components of the indian food industry. Consumption of milk and milk products is deeply rooted in our tradition and its is an essential item during rituals, festivals and other auspicious events.

Dairy products are commonly consumed in every household as they are highly nutritive and farm fresh. In hot tropical climate like ours, they are nourishing , cooling and less expensive. They also form an alternative to aerateda dn bottled soft-drinks.