CHALLENGES AND STRATERGIES OF SUSTAINABLE DAIRY FARMING IN INDIA
Dr. Jeyapriya.S, Ph.D Scholar, Department of Livestock Products Technology
Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana
Email: priyacharmant@gmail.com
Keywords: dairy farming, sustainability, dairy farmer, unorganized, digital communication, productivity
Prospects of dairy farming
India has become the world dairy industry’s “oyster.” It provides a vast number of options for businesses who want to profit from one of the world’s largest and fastest expanding milk marketplaces. The Indian dairy business is constantly expanding, attempting to keep up with the world’s rapid advancement. India now has roughly 250 dairy facilities that process around 20 million litres of milk each day. Milk output has grown by around 4% each year since the white revolution. It increased from 22 million metric tonnes in 1970-71 to 187 million in 2019-20. Even per capita milk availability has grown from 107 to 394 grams per day in 2018-19, compared to a global average of 302 grams. However, India is gradually shifting in the right direction, owing to potential “consumption dynamics” generated by rising packaged milk demand. As a result of the expanding middle class and their greater awareness and needs, the future of profitable dairy enterprise appears bright.
Furthermore, existing reports show that India contributes over 21% of global milk output and accounts for roughly 22% of worldwide milk production. Every year, India’s milk output increases, making it an even more thriving industry for business.
White Revolution in India – A glance
India’s transformation from a milk deficit to a milk surplus has been remarkable. The white revolution was conceived by Dr.Verghese Kurien, a social entrepreneur and philanthropist. His innovation, dubbed “Operation Flood,” gave birth to the “billion-liter notion.” Operation Flood, which began in 1970 and ended in 1990, was undoubtedly the world’s most comprehensive dairy development initiative, transforming India into one of the world’s greatest milk producers. The revolution’s main goal was to make the country self-sufficient in milk production, enhance milk productivity, and improve the management of cattle and other dairy animals.
One of the driving forces behind the white revolution’s success in India is the livestock population trends. Although India did great in terms of the total milk population and livestock population, it lacked behind when it came to productivity. Therefore cattle owners engaged in crossbreeding program and adequate fodder availability and feed throughout the year. Eventually the crossbred cows turned out to be more productive compared to indigenous ones. For instance the average milk productivity of crossbred cows in Punjab was 8.36 litres/day, whereas it was 2.88 litres/day for indigenous ones.
| Milk production and percapita availability of milk in India | ||
| Year | Production (Million Tonnes) | Per Capita Availibilty (gms/day) |
| 1991-92 | 55.6 | 176 |
| 1992-93 | 58.0 | 182 |
| 1993-94 | 60.6 | 186 |
| 1994-95 | 63.8 | 192 |
| 1995-96 | 66.2 | 195 |
| 1996-97 | 69.1 | 200 |
| 1997-98 | 72.1 | 205 |
| 1998-99 | 75.4 | 210 |
| 1999-2000 | 78.3 | 214 |
| 2000-01 | 80.6 | 217 |
| 2001-02 | 84.4 | 222 |
| 2002-03 | 86.2 | 224 |
| 2003-04 | 88.1 | 225 |
| 2004-05 | 92.5 | 233 |
| 2005-06 | 97.1 | 241 |
| 2006-07 | 102.6 | 251 |
| 2007-08 | 107.9 | 260 |
| 2008-09 | 112.2 | 266 |
| 2009-10 | 116.4 | 273 |
| 2010-11 | 121.8 | 281 |
| 2011-12 | 127.9 | 290 |
| 2012-13 | 132.4 | 299 |
| 2013-14 | 137.7 | 307 |
| 2014-15 | 148.3 | 322 |
| 2015-16 | 155.5 | 337 |
| 2016-17 | 165.4 | 355 |
| 2017-18 | 176.3 | 375 |
| 2018-19 | 187.7 | 394 |
| 2019-20 | 198.4 | 406 |
SOURCE: Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics, DAHD & F, GoI
The core aspect of sustainability have always been an integral part of dairy farmers personal values and daily on farm practices.
Sustainable dairy farming
In India, sustainable dairy farming is a novel idea that advocates for the right and effective use of resources while avoiding over-exploitation. While the approach of this modern dairy farming method appears complex, the majority of its fundamental aspects are taken from old agricultural methods.
Three primary components of sustainable dairy farming are important to consider:
Ensuring that the animals are provided proper care
In dairy farming, the first step is to select the appropriate animal breed. Most farmers select animal breeds based solely on milk yield, disregarding factors such as climate, soil, feed availability, disease and insect resistance, and environmental conditions. Hybrid cattle, such as HF or Jersey cows, are typically vulnerable to severely hot and dry conditions. They also necessitate a great deal of attention in terms of disease prevention and dietary quality. As a result, local varieties such as the Murrah Buffalo or Sindhi cow would be more suited to India’s climate.
Another significant factor to consider is the construction of a sterile cowshed. The structure must shield the animals from the elements and provide proper ventilation. The high heat encountered in Indian summer, which is hazardous to any animal breed, necessitates the avoidance of metal GI sheet roofs in particular. To reduce competition among animals, enough space must be allowed at the food and water buckets. Furthermore, an effective herd health management programme must be devised, and animals must be evaluated for illness symptoms on a regular basis. If animals are prevented from falling ill, there is no need for antibiotics.
Another technique that draws from traditional cow herding is free range dairy farming. Cows and buffalos are free to roam and graze throughout the farm and in the open areas. They are herded back after being allowed to graze until after noon. However, this requires more labor.
Management of fodder
The present day high yielding cattle breeds require a steady supply of feed and fodder. While most cattle feeds for conventional dairy farming are bought from the market, sustainable dairy feed need to be grown internally or bought locally in the village. While, dry fodder can be bought locally, green fodder needs to be grown inside the farm. High yielding Bajra Napier hybrids can be grown in fertile and well irrigated land, while Guinea grass can be grown in barren rain-fed land.
Apart from growing organic fodder, it is important to ensure the manure, urine and other waste are disposed off in compost pit. Prevent the untreated sewage sludge from being applied to land used to grow crops. Only composted organic matter must be used for fertilizing crops. Having a Biogas unit will not only solve the problem of waste disposal, but also provide ready manure for fertilizing crops.
Energy production
Although dairy farming is not an energy-intensive activity, there is a need for electric power and heating. Instead of relying on the highly unreliable grid power from the electricity boards, farmers utilize diesel generators, which are costly to run. It would be sensible to utilize Biogas since the fuel input is readily available. In fact the natural gas produced from just four cows can fuel a kitchen of four people. Further, Biogas can be used for milk heating and chilling purposes as well. Biodiesel is another alternative that can be considered for running a diesel generator in remote places where electricity is not available. Solar power panels have become quite cheap today, so that farmers can afford to light up their entire household.
This way, sustainable dairy farming can not only be economically viable to small farmers, but also be eco-friendly by reducing carbon emissions and increasing organic fertility.
Challenges of dairy farming
Unorganized Supply Chain: The dairy industry is mostly decentralised. Only 14 percent of the milk produced in the country is purchased by co-operatives and private corporations (organised), while 32 percent is sold in the unorganised market by milkmen and local sellers, and 54 percent is consumed locally. Because of a lack of resources and a lack of supply chain infrastructure, unorganised market producers/vendors are hesitant to sell milk outside of their comfort zones. Furthermore, because milk is a perishable product, even the organised sector faces significant logistical hurdles in terms of sourcing, processing, warehousing, and distribution to other regions of the country.
Quality Aspect: While the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has established quality norms for milk and milk products, there are still concerns about the products available and their acceptability in terms of adhering to the standards. According to the FSSAI’s most recent survey, almost 90% of items are found to be safe. Consumers, however, continue to have concerns about the quality of the product.
Underdeveloped Facilities for Quality and Hygienic Livestock Management: Despite having the world’s largest livestock population, India’s livestock management is inferior to those of other countries. There isn’t enough organized area or shelter to house all of the milk-producing animals. The veterinary infrastructure is likewise in need of improvement.
Fodder and Water Scarcity: Animals require dry or green fodder all year, but lack of fodder and water has an adverse influence on overall milk production and productivity. The scarcity is due to three main factors: the area of natural grassland pastures is rapidly diminishing; crop residues are increasingly being diverted to be used as fuel wood in industrial uses; and the majority of farmers do not build any fodder reserves to sustain them during extreme climatic conditions such as drought or floods.
Lack of Cold Chain Infrastructure: Milk is a perishable and temperature-dependent product. To maintain its purity and freshness while also preventing bacterial deterioration, it requires continuous cold chain storage and transportation facilities. Low-cost technology for chilling milk at the farm level, as well as insulated trucks for delivery, are desperately needed. Huge amounts of milk are wasted as a result of insufficient cold chain facilities. Cold chain infrastructure is currently essentially non-existent, with only a few possibilities. In reality, India’s National Centre for Cold Chain Development (NCCD) has identified a 3.2 million MT capacity need in cold storage (comprising all perishables).
Rising cost of inputs and disease management: Dairy farming requires a significant amount of cattle feed, meal supplements, antibiotics, and other inputs. In the last few decades, India’s dairy farming industry has grown, resulting in the world’s largest animal population. After years of consistent success in milk and cattle production, the industry is now facing a number of challenges.
Farming systems: For maximum productivity, intensive dairy farming necessitates the confinement of the cattle. These closely packed facilities, on the other hand, are overcrowded and unpleasant for animals, making disease transmission easier. Bacteria can easily thrive when thousands of cows are crowded into feedlots full of faeces and urine. Most industrial livestock facilities treat cattle with low-level antibiotics to prevent disease and increase weight gain because overcrowding makes them prone to infection. Not only does this provide a breeding habitat for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, but it also results in milk that is chemically loaded.
Data Deficiency: There is no official estimate of the cost of milk production that is updated on a regular basis. Despite the fact that the value of milk produced in India exceeds the total value of wheat and rice output.
Poor returns: Milk, unlike 24 other key agricultural commodities in the country, such as wheat and rice, has no MSP (Minimum Support Price). Dairy cooperatives are also not the best option for landless or small producers. The cooperatives use a fat-based pricing policy, which is 20 to 30% lower than the open market price. Furthermore, dairy cooperatives purchase more than 75% of milk in the lowest price range.
Competition from alternatives: Some consumers prefer more environmentally friendly alternatives such as ‘Soy Milk’ or ‘Almond Milk’ to traditional cow and buffalo milk. They claim that plant-based milk products have a lower carbon impact than typical dairy products.
Education and Training: A substantial education and training programme on excellent dairy practices could lead to the production of safe dairy products, but it must be participative in form to succeed. In this regard, all personnel must be educated and trained so that they understand what they are doing and acquire a sense of ownership. However, in the dairy industry, designing and implementing such initiatives requires a strong commitment from management, which can be a stumbling obstacle at times.
Health: Veterinary health care centres are located in far off places. The ratio of cattle population to veterinary institution is higher, resulting in insufficient animal health care. Routine vaccination schedules are not followed, and regular deworming programmes are not completed on time, leading in high mortality in calves, particularly in buffalo. Against several cow illnesses, no effective immunity has been established.
Hygiene Conditions: Many cattle owners do not provide adequate protection for their animals, leaving them susceptible to harsh weather. Mastitis is caused by unsanitary conditions in cattle sheds and milking yards. Unhygienic milk production reduces storage quality and causes milk and other goods to deteriorate.
Strategies for sustainable dairy farming
Feeding: (cost-effective feeding strategies): A steady supply of high-quality feed and fodder ensures increased output. Feeding accounts for roughly 60 70% of the overall cost of milk production in dairying.A well-balanced diet (green and dry fodder, as well as a concentrate ration) is helpful to the farm’s long-term viability and profitability.
High-yielding fodder types such as Bajra, Napier hybrids, Maize, and Sorghum can be cultivated on fertile, well-irrigated soil, whereas Guinea/Rye grass can be produced on barren, rain-fed ground. Planting native fodder trees in draught-prone locations will keep animal output going during times of scarcity. Because of their excellent nutritional value, trees like Prosopis cineraria, Leucaenale ucocephala, and Moringa oleifera are becoming more popular as fodder.
- a) Baled silage: In tropical areas, silage is a way of keeping surplus green fodder that is mostly used on large dairy farms. It’s the result of a controlled fermentation process that keeps the moisture content of green feed high. Tube silage or bag silage is one of the novel silage-making techniques that has been established for a marginal dairy farmer with one to two dairy cows and limited fodder land in several countries. Baled silage is the most recent advancement in fodder conservation. Forage is baled at a higher moisture level than forage that would be stored as dry hay in this method. Until they are needed, the sealed airtight plastic bundles remain sealed. The high moisture content and lack of air inside the sealed bale encourage fermentation, which helps to protect the quality of the forage.
- b) Total mixed ration: The term total mixed ration may be defined as, “The practice of weighing and blending all feedstuffs into a complete ration which provides adequate nourishment to meet the needs of dairy cows.” ach bite contains the exact amount of nutrients (energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins) that the cow need. When employing TMR, expect a 4% improvement in feed consumption, improved formulation and feeding accuracy, masking of the flavour of less attractive feeds (urea, limestone, lipids, and some by-pass protein sources), and the use of commodity ingredients.
- c) Probiotics (prebiotics/synbiotics): “The procedure of weighing and combining all feedstuffs into a full ration that offers appropriate food to meet the demands of dairy cows,” according to the definition of total mixed ration. Each bite contains the exact amount of nutrients (energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins) that the cow need. When employing TMR, expect a 4% improvement in feed consumption, improved formulation and feeding accuracy, masking of the flavour of less attractive feeds (urea, limestone, lipids, and some by-pass protein sources), and the use of commodity ingredients.
Health care: Reduction in milk production is the first indicator of animal distress and disease, and resuming production is one of the most difficult and expensive tasks for small and marginal farmers. There is also a decrease in the animal’s per lactation and lifetime production. Antibiotics are required for the treatment of any disease. As a result, it is always preferable to prevent rather than treat diseases. Only via the use of healthcare management could this be accomplished.
- Vaccination: Livestock vaccination is a new and important socioeconomic breakthrough in the Indian dairy business, with reports that it is more profitable and long-term than artificial insemination. Vaccines are available for most of these diseases, and they can be easily controlled if they are administered on a wide scale and to a large proportion of the susceptible population (at least 80 percent). Farmers must follow the government’s prescribed immunization routine, taking all measures and inoculating on a regular basis.
- Communication: By offering a virtual platform for dairy product production and marketing, information and communication technology (ICT) has the ability to alleviate both ends’ needs. Using ICT to transmit information to the dairy industry can greatly improve the quality of decision-making in the dairy farming system.
- Internet-enabled mobile phones are one of the successful developments that has benefited a huge number of individuals in the developing countries. Because mobile phones have gained widespread acceptability among all users, they may now be used as a major instrument for communication and information dissemination in order to make better decisions. Dairy producers employ a variety of smartphone apps, web portals such as epashupalan.com, and expert systems. The mobile application for dairy farmers, named ‘Pashu Poshan’, is available on both web and android platform, can be accessed by registering on the INAPH portal (http://inaph.nddb.coop).
- The Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University in Punjab, India, has released the ‘Precision Dairy Farming’ smartphone application, which covers major aspects of dairy farming such breeding, feeding and housing management, record keeping, health management, and economics.
- Digital green is a global development organization that empowers smallholder farmers to lift themselves out of poverty. It is an independent non governmental organization that focuses on training farmers to make and show short videos where they record their problems, share solutions and highlight success stories. Digital platforms like kisan dairy, mobile courseware, market engagement, interactive voice response, loop (explores potential models for farm to market linkages that can be made sustainable), satellite yield estimation, video kheti ( web responsive application that provides access to video library through an easy to navigate interface for low literate farmers), farmer book (open access platform that displays detailed timeline based activities of farmers).
Breeding: Cross breeding practices have resulted in profitable dairy production while posing major health and fertility difficulties. Native breeds with high-quality genetics would be better suited to the climate in the area. In terms of long-term production, genetic improvement of nondescript animals utilizing superior indigenous germplasm is more effective.
- a) Artificial insemination (AI) technique: It not only eliminates the need to keep a bull for natural service, but it also allows for greater utilization of the outstanding germplasm.
- b) Progeny testing: It’s the most practical and effective way to improve the breed’s genetics.
- c) Embryo transfer technology (ETT): It is one of the most recent techniques available for rapid livestock improvement around the world, particularly for simultaneously exploiting the genetic potential of high-quality females and males.
- d) Sexed semen: The presence of ‘X’ chromosomes in sexed semen can ensure the birth of a female calf. The primary benefits popularizing this method among dairy farmers are a reduction in economic load and the generation of a greater number of female calves as future productive animals.
- e) Hormonal synchronization/protocols: For effective and regulated management, different hormone protocols are being used to achieve group calving or target calving in a year. This type of desired calving corresponds to market demand and season. It is planned administration of hormones with fixed time AI for specified calving.
In addition, advanced reproductive techniques such as Multiple Ovulation and Embryo Transfer (MOET), ovum pick-up technique, and embryo manipulation (splitting, sexing, and cloning, among others) allow for faster multiplication of superior germplasm from highly selected elite donors, allowing for the production of a large number of superior bull calves/bulls and adequate semen doses.
Management:
- a) Health tracking devices: These smart animal-wearing devices can be placed in the cattle’s ears, tail, legs, neck, or any other part of their bodies. In India, GPS enabled digital chips have been widely implanted to track the health and early identification of medical conditions in dairy cattle. If these devices are used effectively, a large database will be created. The accuracy of such data will aid in the formulation of strong and specific policies for human and animal welfare.
- b) Heat detection systems: It’s a heat management software that tracks the cow’s activities throughout the day, forecasting heat based on discontent and hyperactivity, and checking milk flow and conductivity for suspected mastitis. It has a clear advantage over eye heat detection, which is based on observation and behaviour and is prone to miss heats or false negatives, resulting in significant financial losses.
- c) Robotic milking machines: Robotic milking robots are effective in reducing physical labour and ensuring a sanitary milking procedure, resulting in a significant increase in milk production. These gadgets use cups with sensors that can be fitted to the teats of individual cows. The sensors are crucial in recognising the readiness of teats for milking as well as identifying contaminants, colour, and milk quality. Unfit-for-human-consumption milk is diverted to a different container. When the task is completed, the machines clean and disinfect the teats automatically.
- d) Digital farm management: Dairy farm management softwares are cutting-edge instruments for atomizing and digitising end-to-end production and operations activities on the market. It gives you a holistic perspective of your entire farm’s activities, allows you to manage records, generate reports, and spot inefficiencies, all while ensuring successful dairy farming.
Conclusion:
Dairy producers are moving towards sustainability in various ways these days, and it is expected to continue in the next years. Government assistance in raising awareness of the necessity of implementing sustainability measures in dairy farming should assist farmers in grasping the concept of sustainability and encouraging them to implement the practices. However, in order to attain full sustainability in our dairy farming, the three aspects of sustainability, namely the environmental, economic, and social aspects, must be fully applied and adopted. Dairy farming research should be expanded in all aspects, including economic, social, and environmental, in order to find the most advantageous strategy to assist farmers.
References:
Ensuring sustainability for Indian dairy farming. www.benisomedia.com.
Milk production in India. www.nddb.coop.
Pramod Prabhakar, Sanjay Kumar Bharti and Pramod Kumar (2020). Challenges and strategies for sustainable dairy farming in India: A review, International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied sciences, Issue 11:4065-4071.
Rajat Ghai (2021). Cross breeding,herd management key startergy to maximize India’s milk production: study. www.downearth.org.in.
Sustainable dairy business, www.worldanimalprotection.org.in.
