On 6 January 2026, the NDDB Foundation for Nutrition (NFN) convened a landmark National Conclave on “Role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Nutrition Security and Malnutrition Mitigation” at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. This high-level meeting brought together government leaders, corporates, and cooperatives to align CSR strategies with the fight against child malnutrition through sustainable, dairy-led nutrition models.
Organised under the vision of “Sahkar se Samriddhi” by NFN, the CSR arm of the National Dairy Development Board, the conclave highlighted the transformative role of cooperatives—particularly dairy cooperatives—in delivering nutrition to vulnerable populations. The focus was on leveraging CSR funds not merely as one-off donations but as catalysts for long-term, community-embedded nutrition security initiatives.
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the event, joined by Union Ministers Annapurna Devi and Piyush Goyal, as well as NDDB Chairman Meenesh Shah. In their addresses, the dignitaries underscored the need for structured, cooperative-led interventions aligned with national nutrition priorities.
CSR as a Strategic Investment in Nutrition
Union Minister Piyush Goyal called for a shift in corporate mindsets, encouraging companies to view the mandated 2% CSR spending not as a ceiling, but a foundation. “Nutrition-focused CSR isn’t charity—it’s nation-building. A nourished child today is a capable citizen tomorrow,” he noted, urging businesses to co-create value by supporting nutrition security programmes.
Giftmilk & Shishu Sanjeevani: Expanding Cooperative-Led Nutrition
Two key CSR-driven initiatives were launched during the conclave:
- Phase III of the Giftmilk Programme, supported by SAIL–Bhilai Steel Plant, will extend the reach of fortified milk to school- and anganwadi-children through dairy cooperatives, reinforcing milk as a vehicle for nutrition.
- The Shishu Sanjeevani Programme, funded by IDBI Bank’s CSR initiative, will provide 3,000 anganwadi children in rural Nagpur with energy-dense, fortified supplements produced by the Bhandara Milk Union.
These initiatives demonstrate scalable models where CSR funds directly empower cooperative structures to deliver nutritious, protein-rich dairy products to underserved populations.
Public–Private–Cooperative Synergy
The conclave’s technical sessions stressed collaborative frameworks that align CSRs with public schemes and cooperative infrastructure. Panels explored how India can combat its “triple burden” of malnutrition—undernutrition, overnutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies—through integrated, data-driven and scalable CSR models.
NDDB–NFN also showcased existing initiatives in aspirational districts and tribal regions as ready-to-replicate, CSR-friendly models anchored in cooperative networks. These include fortified milk distribution in schools and nutrition education campaigns in rural areas.
A Roadmap for Corporate–Cooperative Nutrition Partnerships
The conclave reaffirmed the critical role of dairy cooperatives as trusted, decentralised delivery partners capable of reaching India’s most nutritionally vulnerable communities. With structured CSR engagement, these cooperatives can act as long-term allies in achieving nutrition security.
By positioning CSR as a catalyst for systemic nutrition reform, this national conclave has opened new pathways for India’s dairy sector to become a frontline player in social development—creating healthier children, stronger communities, and a more resilient nation.
