India, already the world’s largest milk producer with over 25% of global output, is now setting global benchmarks in digital transformation within the dairy sector. The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) is spearheading this evolution, leveraging technology to enhance productivity, transparency, and farmer inclusion across the dairy value chain.
From mobile apps that provide doorstep veterinary care to centralised ERP systems tracking everything from semen doses to milk distribution, India’s dairy infrastructure is undergoing a quiet but powerful revolution.
National Digital Livestock Mission: Building Bharat Pashudhan
In collaboration with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), the NDDB is implementing the National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM) to create ‘Bharat Pashudhan’, a unified digital ecosystem for livestock data. The cornerstone of this initiative is the issuance of a 12-digit ‘Pashu Aadhaar’, a unique barcoded ear tag that links every livestock animal to its breeding, health, and productivity records.
To date, over 35.68 crore animals have been registered under Pashu Aadhaar. The initiative has captured over 84 crore field-level transactions, including vaccination, treatment, and artificial insemination services. With tools like the 1962 app and toll-free helpline, NDLM offers authenticated veterinary guidance and doorstep services through Mobile Veterinary Units.
Automatic Milk Collection System (AMCS): Transparent, Real-Time Transactions
India’s cooperative dairy structure depends on efficient milk procurement from millions of farmers daily. NDDB’s Automatic Milk Collection System (AMCS) has digitised this process, ensuring transparency in quality checks, fat measurement, and instant payments.
AMCS, operational in 12 states and UTs, currently supports over 26,000 Dairy Cooperative Societies and 17.3 lakh milk producers. Farmers receive real-time SMS updates, while dairy unions benefit from integrated analytics across procurement and production.
Through multilingual Android applications and a common platform across society, union, and national levels, AMCS offers a seamless digital interface for society secretaries, supervisors, and farmers alike. As of October 2025, 2.43 lakh farmers have registered on the mobile app.
NDDB Dairy ERP (NDERP): From Cow to Consumer
To bring all dairy operations under a single umbrella, NDDB has developed NDERP, a web-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform built on the open-source Frappe ERPNext. Accessible via desktop and mobile, it connects milk unions, distributors, and federations without recurring licensing costs.
Modules span finance, HR, inventory, sales, production, and procurement, all integrated with dashboards and real-time analytics. The mNDERP mobile app further extends functionality to distributors, enabling order tracking, invoicing, and payment monitoring.
Importantly, NDERP integrates directly with AMCS, forming an end-to-end, traceable digital dairy system.
Semen Station Management System (SSMS): Elevating AI Standards
SSMS is transforming artificial insemination practices in India through digitised tracking of Frozen Semen Dose (FSD) production. Covering 38 semen stations, it adheres to Government of India protocols while integrating with RFID bull tags, lab equipment, and the INSPRM portal for nationwide traceability.
By linking with the INAPH system (Information Network for Animal Productivity & Health), SSMS provides unified data visibility from production to field-level AI delivery.
i-DIS: Data-Driven Decision Making for Cooperatives
The Internet-based Dairy Information System (i-DIS) enables cooperatives to track milk procurement, sales, cattle feed, and technical inputs across India. With 198 milk unions, 29 marketing dairies, 54 cattle-feed plants, and 15 federations participating, i-DIS creates a real-time national database to support strategy, policy, and planning.
Regular capacity-building workshops ensure MIS officials are fully trained to utilise this tool for informed management.
GIS-Powered Milk Route Optimisation
NDDB’s use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for milk route optimisation is reducing transport distances, fuel usage, and cost. Initially launched in Maharashtra, the project has been expanded to Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh with significant logistics savings.
The free-to-use, web-based software helps cooperatives plan optimal procurement and distribution routes, making India’s dairy supply chain more efficient and environmentally sustainable.
Conclusion: Digitally Empowering India’s Dairy Future
NDDB’s multi-pronged digital initiatives are redefining the Indian dairy industry. By bringing data-driven governance, real-time traceability, and transparent systems to the grassroots, these technologies are transforming dairy cooperatives into digitally enabled institutions.
As India leads the world in milk production, it is now also pioneering a digital-first model of inclusive, sustainable dairy development.
