“Imported Dairy? Udderly No!”

"Utterly Butterly Delicious"- The taste of India

India’s “No to US Dairy Imports”: A Stand for Health, Sustainability & Tradition

• India’s dairy sector is the largest globally, supporting over 80 million small farmers and contributing substantially to rural livelihoods and the national economy

• The government has flatly rejected imports of U.S. dairy products because in the U.S., cows may be fed animal by-products (like meat, blood, poultry litter), which clash with India’s vegetarian, cultural, and religious norms

• India mandates strict veterinary certification for dairy imports, ensuring milk comes only from cows fed plant-based diets; a demand the U.S. characterizes as an unjustified non-tariff barrier, raising the issue at the WTO

• Economically, opening the dairy sector risks displacing domestic production, potentially causing a loss of ₹1.03 lakh crore annually, according to SBI estimates

• Critics argue India’s stance protects public health, food sovereignty, and rural communities, while upholding ethical and traditional values over purely commercial interests

Sustainability at Every Step

India’s stand—ensuring that milk comes exclusively from cows nourished with vegetarian diets—serves as a pivotal action in support of

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-12, which focuses on reducing ecological footprint, enhancing resource efficiency, and promoting sustainable practices throughout the product lifecycle.

• India’s position also aligns with Article 48 of the Indian Constitution, which protects cow welfare and traditional practices.

• Furthermore, it supports Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), respecting indigenous, plant-based cattle feeding practices that preserve ecosystem balance and reinforce sustainable, time-tested dairy systems rooted in community wisdom.

While the United States often positions itself as a global leader in sustainability discourse—championing climate goals, green innovation, and ESG frameworks—it still has much to learn when it comes to practicing the fundamentals of sustainable living. The US must learn to engage with TEK systems, not dismiss them as anti-science, especially where there is precedent, like the deadly mad cow disease.

In this standoff, India is not resisting progress; it is reminding the world that true sustainability begins with respecting rta and prakriti, not industrial convenience. Indian ecological traditions are rooted in long-term harmony with nature. They align remarkably well with global goals of sustainability and regenerative agriculture. The requirement for vegetarian feed certification is legally sound, respects public sentiment, and ensures food safety, making the refusal both lawful and culturally appropriate.

Sustainability isn’t just about carbon credits—it is about honouring the natural order and allowing all species to follow their inherent nature, prakriti, and natural dharma. Dharma here does not mean religion, but a righteous way of life—for humans and every other species on the planet. This is not trade protectionism, but protection of ecology and food integrity.

In a world where markets often override morals, India’s dairy stand is a rare assertion of dharma economics and a reminder that nature doesn’t negotiate.

Example of Amul:

In 1946, Gujarat’s farmers didn’t raise capital when they were underpaid by a British-backed monopoly.
They raised a cooperative, which got named “Amul India”.

• That one decision created a ₹90,000 crore dairy system:
  → No private equity
  → No promoter holding
  → No IPO plans
  → 36 Lakh farmer-owners

• A model where profits move bottom-up.

• Where scale isn’t VC-funded, it’s village-fed.

• Where margins don’t get distributed to shareholders but they get reinvested in cattle feed, storage, and local jobs.
  
  And somehow, it works better than most funded brands.
  → Beats top FMCGs on topline
  → Spends <1% of revenue on marketing
  → Exports fresh milk to Spain through a local EU co-op
  → Converts whey waste into ₹700 crore worth of bioethanol

• This isn’t anti-capitalism. This is rural-first capitalism done right.

• Where listing isn’t the endgame.

• Where growth isn’t VC-led but community-held.

• Where valuation isn’t diluted, it’s redistributed.

  

  Amul proves that scale and soul can co-exist — and thrive. Amul isn’t just a dairy brand, it’s a masterclass in decentralised value creation. Built on collective ownership, not capital markets, it proves that scale doesn’t have to come at the cost of sustainability or inclusivity. As most brands chase top-line growth through VC fuel, Amul shows what patient, ground-up economics can truly deliver. A model worth studying deeply.

And maybe the future of Indian business doesn’t look like Amazon. Maybe it looks like Amul.