Muneppa, a 65-year-old dairy farmer from Jangala Agraharam village in Palamaner Assembly, starts his day at 3 a.m. to milk his eight cows and a bull. He collects over 20 litres daily, calling milk his "white liquid gold." In 2020, he owned only two cows and struggled. Today, his herd has grown, supporting his grandchildren's education and family needs. Chittoor district produces an estimated 18 to 20 lakh litres of milk every day, making it one of India's top milk belts. Its milk supplies cities like Tirupati, Bengaluru, and Chennai. Around 80% of the district's dairy farmers are smallholders with two to four cattle. For them, dairy is a vital income source, especially when farming is tough. Women play a major role, managing milking, cleaning, bookkeeping, and sales. Many villages depend on women-led Bulk Milk Chilling Units (BMCUs) to improve milk quality and prices. The collapse of Vijaya Dairy almost 20 years ago left farmers at the mercy of private buyers, causing price ups and downs. Milk prices today range from ₹27 to ₹32 per litre for cow milk and ₹35 to ₹38 for buffalo milk. Rising costs for feed and transport hurt profits. The spread of nearly 100 BMCUs managed by women’s groups has boosted prices by ₹3 to ₹7 per litre over middlemen rates. Amul’s entry through government support offers better transparency and stable payments, forcing others to raise prices. Yet, calls for reviving cooperatives like the old Vijaya Dairy remain. Summer fodder shortages hit Chittoor hard, reducing milk yields by 20-30%. Some villages face vet shortages and late emergency care. Youth show less interest in dairy due to labor and uncertain income. Despite challenges, officials aim to increase output to 30 lakh litres daily by 2030. They are expanding artificial insemination, veterinary care, feed security, and market links. Dr. D. Uma Maheswari, Joint Director of Animal Husbandry, says, "We are strengthening services and securing livelihoods while keeping Chittoor a top milk producer." Farmers ask, "Can a district feeding millions afford to let its dairy households lose money?" As local farmer Chandrasekhar says, "The real measure of success is not litres produced, but secure livelihoods and a future worth striving for."