Mod 19: Dairy Development Indicators & COMFED

Institutional Genesis and Organizational Structure of COMFED:

The planned development of Bihar's organized dairy ecosystem is anchored by the Bihar State Milk Co-operative Federation Limited (COMFED), established in the year 1983 under the institutional guidelines of the National Dairy Development Board's (NDDB) 'Operation Flood' initiative. Operating on the proven three-tier Anand cooperative model (Primary Village Dairy Cooperative Societies at the village tier, District Co-operative Milk Producers' Unions at the district tier, and the State Milk Federation at the apex tier), COMFED provides end-to-end institutional support. It ensures fair producer prices, veterinary support, artificial breeding inputs, cattle feed provision, scientific processing, and branded marketing under the household commercial brand 'Sudha'.

Key Performance Metrics and Growth Trends:

• Sharp Expansion in Dairy Procurement Productivity: In 2022-23, COMFED procured an average of 81.4 kg of milk per functional dairy cooperative society per day. Driven by yield improvement drives, improved feed access, and prompt digital payments, this figure experienced a marked surge to 110.9 kg per day in 2023-24, stabilizing at an aggregate daily average of 2,252.28 thousand kg in 2024-25.
• Expansion of Retail Distribution Footprint: To enhance urban and rural consumer reach, the number of dedicated retail sales outlets and Sudha parlors grew by 8.8% between 2022-23 and 2023-24.
• Prophylactic Animal Healthcare & Vaccination Surge: Ensuring livestock biosecurity against contagious bovine epidemics (such as Foot and Mouth Disease - FMD and Brucellosis), the total count of cattle vaccinations recorded an exceptional growth of 35% between 2022-23 and 2023-24 under the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme.
• Genetic Upgradation and Artificial Insemination (AI): Between 2021-22 and 2022-23, the total number of operational Artificial Insemination centres expanded by 12.6%, leading directly to a 17.7% increase in the volume of artificial insemination cases performed statewide.

Recent Strategic Advances and Modernization (2025–2026):

• State-of-the-Art Semen Station (Purnea): Supported by the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), the high-tech semen production station at Maranga (Purnea) has scaled production of disease-free indigenous and crossbred bovine semen, accelerating sex-sorted semen adoption to ensure a higher ratio of female calves.
• Clean Energy Integration across Milk Routes: COMFED has deployed solar-powered Bulk Milk Coolers (BMCs) and decentralized rooftop solar arrays at primary village chilling points, preventing post-milking spoilage during rural power interruptions.
• Digital Procurement Transparency: Automated Milk Collection Units (AMCUs) combined with instant Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) credit mechanisms now track milk fat, Solid-Not-Fat (SNF), and net payable amounts in real time for over 2 lakh registered milk producers.

Exam View: Key Takeaways for Competitive Examinations:

• Establishment Year of COMFED: Founded in 1983 under Operation Flood.
• Commercial Brand: Packaged milk and allied dairy products are marketed under the brand 'Sudha'.
• Productivity Leap: Daily milk collection per operating cooperative rose from 81.4 kg (2022-23) to 110.9 kg (2023-24).
• Retail Expansion: Retail sales outlets expanded by 8.8% between 2022-23 and 2023-24.
• Vaccination Growth: Prophylactic cattle vaccinations surged by 35% between 2022-23 and 2023-24.
• Breeding Indicators: Artificial insemination centres increased by 12.6% and AI cases increased by 17.7% (2021-22 to 2022-23).
• Major Infrastructure: Key semen station operating at Purnea under Rashtriya Gokul Mission.

Important Questions Asked in Previous Govt Examinations (BPSC / State Exams):

1. In which year was the Bihar State Milk Co-operative Federation Limited (COMFED) established? — 1983 [Repeated across multiple BPSC Combined Competitive Prelims exams].
2. Under what commercial brand name does COMFED market its packaged milk, ghee, and dairy products? — Sudha.
3. According to the Bihar Economic Survey, by what percentage did cattle vaccinations increase between 2022-23 and 2023-24? — 35%.
4. What was the percentage increase in the number of artificial insemination cases performed in Bihar between 2021-22 and 2022-23? — 17.7%.
5. Where in Bihar has a modern state-of-the-art semen station been established under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission to support artificial insemination? — Purnea (Maranga).