Innovative Technology and Practices Transforming India’s Dairy Farming Sector
Dr. Smruti Smita Mohapatra
PhD in Veterinary Physiology
Consultant Veterinarian
Roshan Vet Medicos, Jammu
UT of Jammu & Kashmir
Introduction
India’s dairy farming sector has come a long way from being a milk deficit nation to the milk exporter. The evolution of the dairy sector in India through dairy cooperatives has made India the largest producer of milk in the world, contributing 23% of global milk production. Currently India is the dairy to the world. India’s dairy farming sector can be transformed through innovative technology and smart dairy practices. They are as follows.
- Cow comfort
Animal housing and herd management through lighting, ventilation, insulation, humidity, and temperature are important to avoid cold/heat stress in winter and summer by the dairy farmers. The use of High-Volume Low Speed (HVLS) fan, helicopter fan and foggers are necessary for cow comfort and maintain the Temperature-Humidity Index (THI). The HVLS fans circulate the air in the animal shed more efficiently and effectively.
- Digital cow monitoring system
A mobile app is necessary for animal localisation and cow identification. The digital fitness belts give information about the health status of the dairy animals such as temperature, respiration rate, pulse, rumination, rumen movement, onset of estrous cycle, etc. This prevents heat loss. There is early detection of fever, mastitis, indigestion, and lumping. This has been of immense economic benefits for the dairy farmers who have large herd size.
- Sex sorted semen technology
Awareness on the various aspects of breeding such as signs of heat, proper time of insemination, drying off a milking animal, normal calving, dystocia, infertility and its management of infertility, progeny Testing (PT), pedigree selection (PS) and sex sorted semen technology is necessary. The use of sex sorted semen technology guarantees the birth of 90% chance of female calf. This technology helps in an increase in genetics and milk production in next generation and reduction in capax for new cow.
- Embryo Transfer Technology (ETT)
ETT enhances genetics and milk production in next generation and reduces capax for new cow.
- Ration balancing Programme (RBP)
Feeding is an important aspect of dairy farming. Nutrition accounts for around 70% of total cost of milk production. Different types of dietary feed ingredients for dairy cows and buffaloes include concentrates such as compound cattle feed, oil cakes, grains and grain by-products like brans and chunnies, cultivated green fodders and grasses, crop residues like straws and stovers. Ration balancing programme (RBP), compound cattle feed, bypass protein feed, mineral mixture, urea molasses mineral block (UMMB) as a feed supplement, fresh drinking water, preparation of total mixed ration (TMR) for cow, seasonal/perennial fodder cultivation, fodder seed production, azolla cultivation and crop residue enrichment are the important aspects of animal nutrition. The android-based software Pashu Poshan (Ration Balancer) by the NDDB is very useful for the dairy farmers.
- Use of ethnoveterinary practices (EVP)
The traditional remedies have been used for ages by the dairy farmers to manage minor ailments in their livestock. The knowledge of some alternative form of medicine such as ethnoveterinary practices (EVP) and veterinary homeopathy can manage minor ailments till such time veterinary aid is sought. This is important to the dairy farmers especially in the areas where animal healthcare services are not readily available. It is cost effective. The ethnoveterinary medicines prevent antimicrobial resistance in dairy animals and antibiotic residues in milk. Various ailments such as mastitis, fever, LSD can be treated by such practices.
- Biogas based manure management
The biogas from animal dung and crop residues through anaerobic digestion can be used for cooking, electricity, CNG and vehicle fuel. Whereas the digestate can be used as organic fertilizer, as building materials, for crop cultivation and horticulture products (plant pots, idols, ladies fashion accessories). Th brand SuDhan by NDDB is a case of circular economy in dairy cooperatives in Anand, Gujarat.
- Maintaining records through digitalization
Amul has digitalized the milk supply chain by maintaining the records from the level of dairy cooperations through the data collection/history of individual animal and calves, milk procurement till delivery of milk through applications. Different apps such as Amul i-Kisan, Amul AMCS farmers, Amul AI app, Amul Pashu Seva app, etc.
- Use of rapid disease diagnostic kits
The introduction of cost-effective kits for identification of Brucellosis and FMD by Amul Dairy at milk cooperative village level can reduce the expenses of dairy farmers through early detection.
- Use of Agri machineries
The use of automatic milking machines and agri machineries for fodder management can reduce labour costs. TMR Wagon helps in the proper mixing of the chaffed green fodder, dry fodder and concentrates for the proper assimilation and utilization of the animal feed that is given for milk production.
- Clean milk production
Complete full hand milking/fisting is the best method of milking under hygienic conditions. Storage and preservation of milk in a dairy farm is essential till it moves out and reaches the markets for sale. Hand milking or machine milking can be decided as per the size of the dairy herd. California Mastitis Test (CMT) analysis is essential. Dung scraper can be used to dispose cow dung in the cattle shed.
Regular training programme needs to be conducted with the objective of boosting awareness about ‘Smart Dairy Farming’ among the farming community to increase productivity, performance, and profitability of dairy farms. With the highly interactive sessions by experts from VKCoE, Amul Dairy and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) on topics as diverse as ‘Animal care in evolving environments’, to ‘Increasing profitability of the business through by-products’, the dairy farmers must undertake field visits to dairy cooperative societies to better understand the ‘Anand Model’ of functioning. The field visits give the participants a practical view of new and alternative technologies in dairy farming and related activities. The training on ‘Smart Dairy Farming’ by Verghese Kurien Centre of Excellence, IRMA has been formulated to create awareness about the opportunities that it brings and how the same can be replicated in states across the country.
Conclusion
Livestock insurance, regular guidance from the veterinarians and various awareness and skill training programmes on management for dairy farmers can lead to sustainable dairy farming in India. A stable market, availability of resources, better pricing, repair facility of the technology and uninterrupted supply of feed and reliable veterinary services will pave a way for transforming sustainable dairy farming sector in India.
