India Digitizes Dairy Sector with 'Pashu Aadhar'
India’s dairy sector is moving towards a unified digital system with the issuance of over 35.68 crore 'Pashu Aadhar' ear tags for livestock by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in coordination with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD). This initiative is central to the National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM), establishing a national digital livestock ecosystem known as Bharat Pashudhan.
Traceable Livestock Management
The 'Pashu Aadhar' is a 12-digit, bar-coded ear tag serving as a unique identification number for each animal. This tag links an animal to its health, productivity, and breeding records, acting as a central reference point. The platform meticulously records field-level activities including breeding, artificial insemination, vaccination, treatment, and general health services. More than 84 crore transactions have been logged to date, with veterinarians and extension workers assisting farmers.
Empowering Farmers and Cooperatives
Under the new digital framework, farmers can access advisory services and scheme-related information through the 1962 mobile application and its toll-free number. Veterinary services are also provided directly at the farmer’s location via Mobile Veterinary Units.
For milk procurement, NDDB has implemented the Automatic Milk Collection System (AMCS). This system digitally records milk quantity, quality, and fat content, enabling direct and transparent payments to farmers' bank accounts via SMS notifications. Over 17.3 lakh milk producers across 54 milk unions benefit from AMCS, which is operational in 12 states and Union Territories. As of October 22, 2025, it covers over 26,000 dairy societies.
Data-Driven Efficiency
NDDB has also developed the web-based Dairy Enterprise Resource Planning system, NDERP, which covers finance, inventory, procurement, sales, manufacturing, and human resources, integrated with AMCS. The Semen Station Management System (SSMS) manages semen production and quality control for 38 semen stations nationwide, linked to national databases. The Information Network for Animal Productivity and Health (INAPH) captures farm-level data. For sector-wide data management, the Internet-based Dairy Information System (i-DIS) is utilized by 198 milk unions and 15 federations for data-driven decision-making. NDDB also provides a free web-based route planning tool for milk transportation optimization.