ICAR and NDDB Forge Strategic Alliance to Strengthen Dairy Research

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) signed a major Memorandum of Understanding on 12 January 2026 to strengthen cooperation in dairy research, innovation and extension. The agreement aims to directly benefit millions of dairy farmers by improving productivity, resilience and value addition through a strong research–field connect and modern technologies.

Why in News?

ICAR and NDDB signed an MoU in January 2026 to deepen collaboration in dairy research and development. The partnership focuses on linking scientific research with grassroots implementation to strengthen India’s dairy sector.

About the ICAR-NDDB MoU

• The MoU brings together the scientific strength of Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the extensive field level experience of National Dairy Development Board.
• It covers the entire dairy value chain, including production, processing and value addition.
• The agreement emphasizes multidisciplinary research, technology validation and capacity building.
• By aligning laboratory research with real world farm conditions, the partnership seeks to ensure that innovations reach farmers effectively.
• The collaboration also aims to address emerging challenges in livestock productivity, climate resilience and sustainable dairy development in a structured and long-term manner.

Focus on Farmers and Grassroots Development

• A key objective of the MoU is empowering dairy farmers, who are the backbone of India’s milk economy.
• The partnership focuses on translating research outcomes into practical field-level solutions.
• Joint training programmes will be organized for farmers, researchers and professionals to improve skills and awareness.
• Emphasis is placed on improving productivity, profitability and sustainability at the grassroots.
• By strengthening extension services and knowledge sharing, the MoU aims to ensure that scientific advancements directly improve farm incomes and livelihoods, particularly in diverse agro-climatic regions of the country.

Research, Innovation and Technology Integration

• The collaboration promotes integrated and complementary research by breaking institutional silos.
• Focus areas include climate-resilient livestock systems, fodder development, low productivity challenges and value chain strengthening.
• ICAR’s research institutes will contribute modern technologies, while NDDB will support large-scale field testing and adoption.
• Innovation driven solutions such as improved feeding practices, manure management, biogas utilization and integrated farming systems will be prioritized.
• This approach ensures that research remains demand-driven and aligned with real challenges faced by farmers in the dairy sector.

Role of Leadership and Vision

• Senior leadership from both institutions highlighted the long-term vision of the partnership. Mangi Lal Jat stressed the need for integrated farming systems, fodder security and sustainable solutions such as gaushala-based manure management.
• Meenesh Shah underlined the potential of the MoU to create one of the world’s largest platforms for integrated dairy research.
• The shared vision aligns with the national goal of Viksit Bharat, focusing on scalable and replicable models.

Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing

• Human resource development is a central pillar of the MoU.
• The agreement promotes joint training programmes, workshops and skill development initiatives for scientists, extension workers and farmers.
• Areas such as ration balancing, mineral mapping, ethno-veterinary medicine and total mixed ration practices will receive renewed focus.
• Knowledge sharing between ICAR institutes and NDDB’s field network will help standardize best practices.
• This continuous learning ecosystem is expected to strengthen institutional capacities and improve the overall efficiency of the dairy sector.

Background of ICAR and NDDB

• ICAR is India’s apex body for agricultural research and education.
• While NDDB is the key institution behind India’s dairy development, including the White Revolution.
• Both have collaborated earlier on nutrition, productivity and dairy missions, making this MoU a natural extension of their shared legacy.

Key Summary at a Glance

Question

Q. The ICAR–NDDB MoU primarily aims to strengthen which sector?

A. Fisheries
B. Poultry
C. Dairy
D. Horticulture