INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY AND PRACTICES TRANSFORMING INDIA’S DAIRY FARMING SECTOR
Dr. Pranav Kumar*, Dr. Anna Singh#& Dr. Ravneet Kour#
Senior Assistant Professor, #Research Scholars, Division of Veterinary Extension Education, F,V.Sc & A.H. SKUAST-Jammu
Introduction
Milk, an elixir of life, has been an integral part of human existence since time immemorial. It has nourished generations, providing essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that fuel our growth and development. But beyond its nutritional value, milk holds a profound cultural significance in societies across the globe. It symbolizes purity, abundance, and sustenance, serving as a cornerstone in many traditions and rituals.
India is the world’s top milk producer and has long held a prominent position in the global dairy industry, producing 24% of the world’s milk production in 2021–2022. India’s Export of dairy products was 108,711.27 MT to the world for the worth Rs. 2,928.79 Crores/ 391.59 USD Millions during the year 2021-22. With a rich tradition of dairy farming deeply ingrained in its culture, the country has been propelled into a new era of growth and innovation. Today, as we stand at the crossroads of tradition and modernity, we witness a remarkable transformation taking place in India’s dairy farming sector. Through the integration of innovative technologies and practices, the industry is undergoing a revolution that promises increased efficiency, sustainability, and prosperity for farmers across the nation.
Dairy innovations
Amidst the kaleidoscope of dairy innovations, one can witness a renaissance in milk production methods. Small-scale dairy farms are reclaiming their place in the industry, bringing back a sense of authenticity and community connection. Meanwhile, technological advancements have paved the way for precision farming, optimizing milk production while minimizing environmental impact. Furthermore, the world of dairy is witnessing a creative transformation, giving rise to an array of milk alternatives. From plant-based options to lab-grown dairy, scientists and entrepreneurs are reimagining the possibilities, catering to a diverse range of dietary preferences and ethical considerations.
Dairy development along the cooperative lines is considered to be the most effective strategy for helping the rural poor without altering the village social structure and providing guaranteed market for milk at fixed prices, supply of cattle feed at a reasonable cost and efficient veterinary and extension services. Dairy co-operatives all over India help small and marginal farmers to take initiatives in shaping their destiny, as land-less; marginal and small farmers constitute 75% of the total farmers engaged in this occupation.
In recent years, precision farming has emerged as a game-changer in the dairy sector. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as sensors, data analytics, and artificial intelligence, farmers are now able to monitor and optimize various aspects of their operations. From automated feeding systems that ensure optimal nutrition for cattle to smart milking machines that improve milk yield and quality, precision farming is streamlining processes and maximizing productivity like never before.
Another ground-breaking development in the Indian dairy landscape is the advent of blockchain technology. By implementing blockchain-based systems, the industry is tackling issues of traceability and transparency head-on. Farmers can now maintain a digital ledger that records every step of the milk supply chain, from the cow’s diet and health records to the transportation and storage conditions. This not only ensures the integrity of the product but also instills consumer confidence by providing access to reliable information about the milk they consume.
Automatic milking/ Robotic milking is a modern technology used to milk the dairy animals, especially dairy cattle, without human labour. Automatic Milking Systems (AMS), also called Voluntary Milking Systems (VMS), can also be used to monitor the health status of cows. The milking process is the collection of tasks specifically devoted to extracting milk from an animal. This process may be broken down into several sub-tasks: collecting animals before milking, routing animals into the parlour, inspection, and cleaning of teats, attachment of milking equipment to teats, and often massaging the back of the udder to relieve any held back to milk, extraction of milk, removal of milking equipment, routing of animals out of the parlour. Some of the other milk sector related technologies are Inline milk composition, automatic watering, reticulo -rumen bolus, digital body condition scoring, infrared thermography, pedometer, etc.
In the pursuit of sustainability, dairy farmers in India are embracing eco-friendly practices that minimize their environmental footprint. Integrated farming systems, which combine livestock rearing with crop cultivation, have gained traction as a way to optimize resource utilization and promote circular economy principles. Additionally, the adoption of renewable energy sources, such as solar power for dairy operations, is reducing reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
The digital revolution has also brought forth innovative platforms and mobile applications tailored specifically for dairy farmers. These tools provide real-time market insights, weather forecasts, veterinary support, and even access to financial services. By empowering farmers with knowledge and resources at their fingertips, these digital solutions are revolutionizing decision-making processes and fostering financial inclusivity in rural communities.
Furthermore, India’s dairy farming sector is witnessing a shift towards value-added products and diversification. Small-scale dairy farmers are venturing into the production of specialized dairy products like artisanal cheeses, flavoured yogurts, and premium ice creams. This not only increases their profit margins but also adds value to their milk, thereby opening up new market opportunities and enhancing the overall competitiveness of the sector.
Government’s initiatives
Government of India and some of the state governments have initiated several programmes and schemes for cultural and livestock development to provide comprehensive support for the individual farmers and entrepreneurs. Several conducive policies have been laid down by the government to recognise the role of livestock sector in improving farmers income and diversifying off farm opportunities. Schemes/Programmes like Rashtriya Gokul Mission, National Programme for Dairy Development, Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Fund, Dairy Infrastructure Development Fund etc. by the Central government and Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (UT of Jammu and Kashmir).
Recent trends: Organic dairy farming leading to sustainability
India presently is the largest producer of milk in world supported by an astonishing growth rate in dairy sector. Apart from this due to increasing consumer awareness there has been an increased concern voiced over quality of milk and milk products including contamination, pollutant and the residual effect of various chemicals. Interest in organic dairy farming is increasing at rapid pace worldwide as an alternative solution. Moreover, under Indian condition, rapid spread of organic dairy farming is possible because of some key geographical, cultural and economic advantages like traditional nature of farming and indigenous technical knowledge and practices followed by Indian farmers etc. But prevalence of small and marginal dairy farmers also poses many challenges for faster proliferation of organic dairy farming along with some other shortcomings. Organic dairy farming means rearing animals on organic feed (i.e., pastures cultivated without the use of fertilizers or pesticides), have access to pasture or outside, along with the restricted usage of antibiotics and hormones. It deliberately avoids the use of synthetic inputs such as drugs, feed additives and genetically engineered breeding inputs.
Research undertaken in National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal proved that total lactation yields (2703.93±237.42 vs. 2358.33±248.08 kg), total lactation lengths (347.66±39.722 vs. 323.5±41.84 days) and the 305-day milk yield (2439. 7± 156.25 vs. 2081 ±133.90 kg) were found to be higher in organically managed buffaloes as compared to conventionally managed buffaloes. Some of the agro-climatic regions in India are best suited for organic milk production. These areas include the rain-fed areas of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, hilly areas of Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Jammu and Kashmir, Tamil Nadu and whole of North-Eastern region whereas in Trans-Gangetic plains region of Punjab, Haryana, Western U.P. and parts of Rajasthan have witnessed the most intensification of crop husbandry by way of intensive crop rotations and the heavy use of inorganic fertilizers and agro-chemicals. However, even in this region and also in other region, dairy farming has not received much intensification. Also, the different cooperative organizations of the country can play an important role in promoting organic dairy farming in the interior rural areas by certifying, procurement, processing and marketing of organic milk.
Status of dairying in India
The dairy industry in India serves as a tool of socio-economic development. and adding on to that the Government of India has introduced various schemes and initiatives aimed at the development of the dairy sector in the country as stated earlier in the article. One of the examples is “National Dairy Programme (Phase-I)”, which aims to improve cattle productivity and increase the production of milk expanding and strengthening and expanding the rural milk procurement infrastructure and provide greater market access to the farmers. On the other hand, the private participation in the Indian dairy sector has also increased over the past few years focusing mainly on to value-added products such as cheese, yogurt, probiotic drinks, etc. and other innovative products keeping in mind the specific requirements of the Indian consumers, also the improvement of milk procurement and marketing network is further facilitating the development of the dairy industry in India.
Milk as a global food
Milk is global food consumed since time immemorial. It is a mixture of quintessential major and minor, constituting a healthy and balanced diet. To honour the dairy industry and raise awareness of the value of milk as a food on a worldwide scale and to recognize the significance of milk as a universal food, June 1st is designated as World Milk Day every year. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations created the day in 2001. Since then, it is observed-on 1st JUNE of every year.
World Milk Day
The theme of this year’s world milk day is to highlight how dairy has reduced its impact on the environment while offering nutritional foods and livelihoods. Together, the whole world will drive an active narrative that integrates the environmental, nutritional and societal impacts of the sector. This day offers a chance to raise awareness of milk among people all over the world. The purpose of the day is to increase public knowledge of the value of milk in a balanced diet, as well as how it helps communities and livelihoods. The FAO estimates that the dairy industry supports more than one billion livelihoods and that more than six billion people around the world eat dairy products.
India, being one of the member states of the United Nations, observes Milk Day every year. India is currently the top milk producer, making it a responsible global player on World Milk Day. The theme of World Milk Day 2023 resonates with India’s global commitment to curbing climate change. Last year, the Ministry of Health and Welfare ran social media campaigns on various social media profiles with hashtags #WorldMilkDay and #EnjoyDairy and to promote the health advantages of dairy products, the government launched a public awareness campaign, A Glass of Goodness.
Conclusion
As India’s dairy farming sector undergoes this remarkable transformation, it holds immense promise for the future. The integration of innovative technologies and practices is empowering farmers, improving animal welfare, and driving economic growth. It is ushering in an era where traditional wisdom meets cutting-edge advancements, paving the way for a sustainable and prosperous dairy industry in India. In conclusion, the convergence of technology, sustainability, and entrepreneurship is reshaping India’s dairy farming sector. With each innovation and practice adopted, the industry takes a step forward towards a future where dairy farming becomes more efficient, environmentally conscious, and economically rewarding. As the nation embraces these transformative changes, it cements its position as a global leader in dairy production and sets an inspiring example for the world to follow.
