The smart word is not only required in the dairy sector but in the entire food sector. To make
the food industry sustainable means that it has to be commercially viable for the farmer and
the consumer needs to get good food products at affordable prices. During the next 25 years, the rural-urban population ratio will become 50:50. Major challenge is fighting adulteration, which leads to low consumption due to the loss of trust of consumers. Energy consumption needs to be reduced in the entire value chain. Digital integration is also important since efficiency, transparency, and trust are brought into the system. We blame animals for not being productive, but we forget that the animals also need love and care which gets ignored in the day-to-day race. The challenges of small herd vs large herd and unavailability of records in our system can be managed by utilization of our traditional knowledge and earlier systems of cattle management through modern mechanisms of implementation. The quality of milk and milk products has to be maintained at the highest level. Gaushalas should be supported/ started in each city and village. Fodder seeds and water for grazing lands should be provided by the Gram panchayat in each village.
Smart Dairy farming is the utilization of new technological advancements to bring about an
innovation to make traditional dairy farms modern. Digital cow monitoring system, call
center for animal health, rapid diagnostic kits, sex-sorted semen, embryo transfer technology, TMR station, fan, and fogger, agri machineries, animal health management through ethnoveterinary care all the dairy farming makes Amul an example of smart and
sustainable dairy farming. Sustainability is given utmost importance through clean energy
production at Dairy farms, carbon credit trading through biogas, refractive roof coating
system, use of solar power, rainwater harvesting, regenerative agriculture, tree plantation
drive, automatic milk sampling, route optimization, use of biofertilizers, use of drones in
application of biofertilizers.
Daily collection of milk by the Kolhapur Zilla Dudh Utpadak Sangh, popularly known
as Gokul dairy in Maharashtra, has crossed the 17.5 lakh liter mark, in the past three years.
Gokul has now aimed to increase the daily collection of milk to 20 lakh liters by 2025. Around
12 lakh liters of milk is supplied to Mumbai. The dairy has started training farmers to
increase the production and availability of good cow and buffalo breeds at subsidized rates.
The dairy also has its plant to prepare cattle fodder. The capacity of the fodder has also been increased to cater to the growing needs of the farmers.
Kerala Government launched ‘Dairy Next’, an interactive program that will provide
authentic information on cow rearing to dairy farmers. Through new schemes of the Dairy
Development department up to 20 cows were given to each farmer in 2023. The scheme to
provide cows to 64,000 farmers below the poverty line will be launched soon. Schemes for
farmers living in high-range and coastal areas are also on the anvil. In the next two years, Kerala will have the provision to ensure insurance for all cows. Fodder grass cultivation in the state will also be extended since it is an essential part of the diet Precision animal management and feed practices startup, eFeed, has secured a grant of Rs 25 Lakhs from the Indian Council of Agriculture Research. eFeed addresses the intersection of animal nutrition, health, environmental sustainability, and economic development in the cattle industry. The start-up is dedicated to sustainable livestock practices, actively addressing methane emissions through the promotion of balanced ration (TMR), localized feed formulations, and initiatives contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the livestock sector. The funds will be utilized to further expand operations. eFeed aims to demonstrate a substantial impact on the increase in milk output, thereby contributing to the overall productivity and sustainability of the livestock and dairy sector. The start-up has already collaborated with over 1.2 lakh farmers, emphasizing sustainable animal culture and integration with the food security value chain.
Banas Dairy will provide a zero-interest credit card to cattle breeders. The credit card will have a limit of Rs. 50,000 and no interest will be charged on the withdrawal of money.