Parameshwar Hegde, Dairy Consultant gives a brief overview about dairy industry in India. He has experience in Dairy Farm Planning, Project Finance Services, Farm Management Services, Fodder and Feed Management and Farm Waste Management.
Dairy Industry: A green investment
In earlier era dairying was an important source of subsidiary income to small / medium farmers and agricultural labourers. The manure from animals provides a good source of organic matter for improving soil fertility and crop yields. The bio gas from the dung is used as fuel for domestic purposes as also for running engines for drawing water from well. The agricultural by-products are gainfully utilised for feeding the animals. Almost all draught power for farm operations and transportation was supplied by bullocks. Since agriculture is mostly seasonal, there is a possibility of finding employment throughout the year for many persons through dairy farming. Thus, dairy also provides employment throughout the year. Nowadays, new young entrepreneurs are keen in taking up the dairy as an investment with scientific approach. More profits can be earned depending upon the breed of animal, managerial skill and marketing potential.
India is the world's highest milk producer and all set to become the world's largest food factory. As India enters an era of economic reforms, agriculture, particularly the livestock sector, is positioned to be a major growth area. According to World Bank estimates 75% of India’s 1100 million people are in 5.87 million villages, cultivating over 145 million hectares of cropland. Average farm size is about 1.66 hectares. Among 70 million rural households, 42% operate up-to 2 hectares and 37% are landless households. These landless and small farmers have in their possession of 53% of the animals and produce 51% of the milk. Thus, small/marginal farmers and landless agricultural labourers play a major role in milk production of the country.
But keeping in view the high demand in milk and milk products, now-a-days dairy farming can also be taken up as a main occupation around big urban centres.
Efforts to increase milk production by dairy farmers are strongly influenced by the degree to which demand signals are transmitted through the marketing system. Cooperatives have played an important role in transmitting the message of urban market demand to them. Since the demand in the urban scenario is rapidly increasing so is the supply generated by the farmers.
Several areas of the dairy industry can be strengthened by the induction of state-of-the-art technologies. Those who bring in new technologies stand to benefit the most. To make the best out of the present situation, the following areas require immediate remedial action on the part of dairy entrepreneurs:
Raw milk handling needs to be upgraded in terms of physico-chemical and microbiological attributes of the milk collected.
Better operational efficiencies at the farm level and processing level are needed to improve yields, reduce waste, minimize fat / protein losses during processing, control production costs, save energy and extend shelf-life. The adoption of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and HACCP would help manufacturing milk products conforming to international standards and thus make their exports competitive.
Latest packaging technology can help retain nutritive value of packaged products and extend their shelf-life. For proper storage and transportation, cold chain needs to be strengthened.
Good scope exists for value-added products like desserts, puddings, custards, cheese and yogurt.
If readers have any questions or queries with respect to dairy farming please feel free to post on this thread. Mr. Hegde or editorial team of agricultureinformation.com shall be replying to the posts.