Ahmedabad: NDDB Dairy Services (NDS) and ITE Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation between the Indian and Russian dairy sectors. The agreement was signed during the India Roadshow of DairyTech Russia 2027 in Ahmedabad, marking a step towards greater networking, knowledge exchange, trade and collaboration between dairy stakeholders in the two countries.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Dr. Meenesh Shah, Chairman of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and NDDB Dairy Services, by Dr. CP Devanand, Managing Director of NDDB Dairy Services, and Dmitry Zavgorodniy, CEO of ITE Group.
Focus on India-Russia Dairy Cooperation
The partnership is intended to create stronger channels of cooperation between the Indian and Russian dairy industries. Key areas include networking between industry participants, exchange of knowledge and expertise, and opportunities for trade and commercial collaboration.
An important focus of the partnership will be addressing demand gaps in the Russian dairy market. This could create opportunities for Indian dairy companies, technology providers and other industry stakeholders to explore international markets while building stronger relationships with Russian counterparts.
The agreement also comes at a time when the Indian dairy sector has developed significant capabilities across milk production, processing, cooperative structures and value-chain management.
India’s Transformation into a Global Dairy Leader
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Meenesh Shah highlighted India’s transformation from a milk-deficit country into the world’s largest milk-producing nation.
He pointed to the strength of India’s domestic dairy ecosystem, particularly its cooperative model and farmer-centric value chain. According to Dr. Shah, these capabilities provide India with a strong foundation to explore international markets and create new opportunities for dairy farmers.
The evolution of India’s dairy sector has been closely associated with the development of organised milk procurement, processing infrastructure and cooperative institutions. This ecosystem has enabled millions of dairy farmers to participate in formal dairy value chains.
The country’s Make in India initiative further strengthens the opportunity to expand the presence of Indian dairy capabilities in global markets.
Opportunities Beyond Domestic Markets
For the Indian dairy industry, international collaboration can provide opportunities beyond conventional product exports. Partnerships can facilitate technology exchange, market knowledge, business networking and the development of commercial relationships between companies.
The MoU between NDS and ITE Group could therefore serve as a platform for connecting Indian dairy organisations with stakeholders across Russia’s dairy ecosystem.
| Key Area | Potential Focus |
|---|---|
| Networking | Connecting Indian and Russian dairy stakeholders |
| Knowledge Exchange | Sharing dairy-sector expertise and practices |
| Trade | Exploring opportunities between the two markets |
| Collaboration | Developing business and industry partnerships |
| Market Opportunities | Addressing demand gaps in the Russian dairy market |
| Farmer Opportunities | Supporting broader market access for Indian dairy capabilities |
Role of NDDB Dairy Services
NDDB Dairy Services is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board. The organisation works within India’s broader dairy development ecosystem, making its participation significant for strengthening international cooperation involving India’s dairy sector.
The collaboration with ITE Group also provides a platform for NDS to contribute to discussions around India’s dairy capabilities and opportunities for international engagement.
As dairy markets become increasingly interconnected, partnerships focused on knowledge, technology, trade and market access can help create new avenues for growth.
The India-Russia MoU signals an intention to deepen industry-to-industry engagement while opening possibilities for Indian dairy businesses to participate more actively in global markets. For farmers, processors, technology companies and other stakeholders, such international cooperation could contribute to wider market opportunities and strengthen India’s position as a major force in the global dairy industry.
