Maharashtra’s Milk Production Rises 63.8% in a Decade: Economic Survey 2025–26
Milk production in Maharashtra has increased significantly over the past decade, rising from 101.52 lakh metric tonnes (MT) in 2015–16 to 166.26 lakh MT in 2024–25, marking a 63.8% growth, according to the Economic Survey 2025–26.
The survey also noted a steady improvement in milk availability. Per capita availability of milk increased from 239 grams per day to 358 grams per day, reflecting a 49.8% rise during the same period. Despite this progress, the state still trails the national average of 485 grams per day, placing Maharashtra fifth among states in milk availability.
In terms of other livestock products, per capita availability of eggs in the state stands at 65 eggs per year, compared to the national average of 106 eggs per year, ranking the state seventh. Meanwhile, per capita meat availability is 9.5 kg per year, which is higher than the national average of 7.5 kg, giving Maharashtra the third rank in this category.
The survey highlighted the importance of the dairy sector in rural livelihoods. “Dairy serves as a supplementary activity to agriculture and has significant potential to generate additional income and employment opportunities for rural households while improving nutritional levels,” the report stated.
Under the cooperative sector, the state had 68 milk processing plants with a combined capacity of 83.25 lakh litres per day and 44 chilling centres with a capacity of 20.66 lakh litres per day as of March 2025. During 2024–25, cooperative dairies collected an average of 43.37 lakh litres of milk per day, while during 2025–26 (up to December) the average daily collection stood at 42.87 lakh litres.
The survey also noted a major policy decision taken in October 2025, when the state government granted agriculture-equivalent status to animal husbandry businesses, becoming the first state in the country to introduce such a measure.
The move is expected to benefit lakhs of livestock farmers engaged in dairy farming, poultry farming and goat rearing. Key benefits include electricity tariffs for livestock units at agricultural rates, uniform taxation including gram panchayat taxes at agricultural levels, concessional interest on loans for animal husbandry activities, and eligibility to install solar pumps and other solar systems similar to those provided for agriculture.