LOW PRODUCTIVITY OF INDIAN DAIRY ANIMALS: CHALLENGES AND MITIGATION STRATEGIES
Abha Pant
U.G. Scholar (4th Year)
College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar-263145, Uttrakhand, India
Author, E-mail – pantabhaddn@gmail.com
Abstract
India is one of the largest producers of milk all over the world and its consumer too at the same time. From the time of independence dairy sector has experienced a steady and robust growth with enormous increase in the milk production .Dairying contributes about 4.35% to the national GDP .But despite the growth and development there are still many challenges at which the industry lacks. Indian dairy industry faces several critical challenges impacting its efficiency and sustainability. The shortage of feed and fodder, driven by industrial expansion and urban sprawl, intensifies competition for resources, particularly for small farmers. This scarcity results in high fodder prices, straining farmers financially. Breeding inefficiencies, such as delayed maturity and inadequate heat detection, further compromise reproductive efficiency. Poor hygiene in dairy sheds contributes to fertility issues and mastitis, affecting milk quality and marketability. To mitigate these issues, strategies include improved feeding management, re-evaluating breeding policies ,process excellence through cold chain maintenance ,digital sales techniques, education and training on best practices, combined with robust disease control measures, are vital for improving the overall health and productivity of the dairy sector
Introduction
As we are aware that India is world’s largest milk producer and consumes nearly 100% of its milk and dairy production. The Indian dairy industry is estimated to expand at a CARG of 15% Year Over Year to reach Rs 9.4 trillion by 2020.India dominates about 13% of world’s milk production (Patel and Jadawala.2017). Since Indian Independence dairy industry is showing steady and robust growth rate of 3% (Prabhakar, et al.,2020). Sector has seen huge improvement in supply chain and milk processing facilities. Livestock plays an important role in Indian economy ,being an important sector acts as a major source of income to run rural households throughout the world. Dairying is an important activity contributing 27% to the agricultural gross domestic product (GDP) and around 4.35% of the national GDP (Mamane, 2022). The annual milk production in India has reached 187.7 million tonnes in 2018-19 against the 17 million tonnes in1951 and the annual growth rate in this sector is 6.5% which is nearly three times of the world (Prabhakar et al., 2020). Despite everything the average milk yield of individual animal is however substantially low, and majority of milk produced is sold as fluid milk itself, with lots of potential for overall value addition and development.
Challenges faced by industry.
Shortage of feed and fodder: The shrinking grazing lands due to industrial expansion and urban sprawl are exacerbating the competition for feed and fodder among livestock, particularly for small and marginal farmers heavily reliant on dairy production . This competition is intensified by unproductive animals compete for resources alongside productive ones, leading to a scarcity of feed and fodder relative to demand . Consequently, fodder prices surge, rendering it financially challenging for farmers to access quality feed and forage, especially those with limited resources . This intricate web of factors contributes to inadequate feeding practices, compromising the health and productivity of livestock and perpetuating the cycle of financial strain for farmers .
Breeding System: Delayed maturity, a prevalent issue among Indian breeds, contributes to reduced reproductive efficiency. Additionally, inadequate knowledge and tools for detecting heat during the oestrus cycle hinder timely breeding interventions, further elongating the calving interval and diminishing overall animal performance. Deficiency diseases and infections by various microorganisms exacerbate fertility issues, leading to abortions and posing significant challenges to the dairy industry.
Hygiene: Neglect of dairy shed hygiene by many animal owners has direct or indirect repercussions on fertility. Unsanitary pens and sheds, coupled with poor milk handling practices, create an environment conducive to mastitis development, a prevalent issue among dairy animals. Furthermore, unhygienic milk production practices result in substandard milk storage and spoilage of dairy products, compromising quality. The high microbial counts in inadequately handled milk often led to rejection of Indian dairy products in foreign markets.
Low dairy penetration and high cost of milk handling and distribution: Despite the prominence of dairy in India, penetration remains relatively low, partly due to the multi-tiered supply chain that milk traverses before reaching pasteurization facilities, ultimately inflating retail prices. Streamlining the supply chain by minimizing intermediary agencies involved in milk handling could mitigate this issue and potentially reduce final retail prices, making dairy products more accessible to consumers .
High cost of milk production: The high production costs associated with milk in India primarily stem from the significantly lower average yield of Indian dairy cattle. This reduced milk yield is attributable not only to climatic factors but also to inadequate feeding, watering, and housing practices, which compromise the overall health and productivity of the animals .Addressing these deficiencies in management practices, alongside the utilization of superior germplasm , holds promise for improving milk yields and reducing production costs in the Indian dairy sector .
Marketing and Pricing: Farmers in India consistently receive low prices for their milk, partly attributable to crossbreeding programs incorporating Holstein Friesian cattle, which have resulted in a decline in milk fat content. Since fat content is a crucial determinant of milk prices, this reduction significantly impacts the economic returns for dairy farmers .Addressing this issue is imperative for improving the livelihoods of dairy farmers and enhancing the overall sustainability of the dairy industry in India.
Mitigation strategies
Feeding Management: Feeding management strategies play a crucial role in mitigating heat stress among cattle. Providing fresh, palatable, and high-quality feed consistently in mangers encourages optimal feed consumption. Prompt removal and disposal of spoiled feed prevent health hazards and maintain feed quality. Additionally, supplementing water and molasses to the ration can improve feed palatability and cohesion, facilitating consumption and nutrient utilization .While such practices may be more feasible for large commercial herds, initiatives are needed to support small farmers in adopting similar approaches to alleviate pressure on pasture lands. Encouraging farmers to cultivate fodder crops on their small and marginal landholdings is essential, with the government’s assistance in providing quality seeds and training on grain storage, haymaking, and silage production techniques .
Breeding Policy: Criticism has been directed towards the prevailing practice of indiscriminately crossbreeding indigenous cattle with temperate zone breeds, neglecting the adaptive traits of indigenous breeds such as heat tolerance and resilience to seasonal variations in nutrition, parasites, and diseases. Despite their inherent advantages, indigenous breeds are often excluded from structured breeding programs, leading to concerns about the sustainability of current breeding practices. As demands for dairy products continue to rise against limited land and water resources, there is a pressing need to enhance productivity through improved breeding programs tailored to different production and marketing contexts. Achieving the delicate balance between heat tolerance, reproduction, and production traits in dairy cattle underscores the necessity of re-evaluating the indiscriminate crossbreeding of indigenous breeds with exotics, particularly in the context of India’s livestock-centric agricultural landscape.
Process Excellence: Dairy products are perishable food items thus cold chains need to be maintained to preserve food quality and reduce wastage. Process automation and defining SOPs is a way how these processes which help in preserving food quality can be managed. Process Automation and SOPs (standard operating procedures) should include following facets:
- General herd management
- Reproduction management through timed AI and deliveries
- Milking management
- Veterinary assistance
- Waste management
- Production and supply chain safety.
A strong IT infrastructure forms the core of all business processes .IT applications significantly reduce operating costs also boosting process accuracy and automation.
Digital Sales Techniques for Rapid Expansion: Adopting a Direct-to-Retailer (D2R) model, which eliminates intermediaries and directly connects dairy companies with retailers, is a transformative approach in the dairy industry. In this model, companies procure milk directly from farmers and offer it to consumers through transparent digital selling machines, revolutionizing the traditional distribution channels. Customers can conveniently access and purchase the latest dairy products through live web stores, enhancing accessibility and convenience. Direct-to-consumer digital selling techniques empower producers by granting greater control over brand image, reputation management, and sales strategies. With the exponential growth in internet penetration, especially accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s a significant surge in opportunities for digital sales of dairy and milk-based products. Embracing these advancements fosters the development of a self-sufficient and sustainable dairy ecosystem, benefiting both producers and consumers alike.
Education and training: The implementation of scientific education and training programs focusing on good dairy practices is imperative to address critical challenges encountered in the dairy industry. Effective marketing strategies are essential to increase participation in such programs, ensuring widespread adoption of best practices across the sector. Education and training initiatives targeting all employees within the dairy sector are essential to foster a sense of ownership and install comprehensive knowledge of optimal practices .Strong commitment from management is crucial for the successful implementation of these programs, ensuring their integration into daily operations and long-term sustainability. By prioritizing education and training, the dairy industry can enhance efficiency, quality, and overall performance, benefiting stakeholders throughout the value chain .
Disease outbreak and its control: Preventing the spread of infectious diseases among animals is crucial for maintaining their health and well-being. Timely intervention and proper management strategies are essential to minimize the risk of outbreaks. Veterinary guidance plays a central role in disease control and treatment. Administering vaccinations before the onset of extreme weather conditions can bolster immunity and reduce susceptibility to infections. Additionally, providing adequate vitamin and mineral supplements helps fortify animals against nutritional deficiencies, enhancing their overall resilience. By implementing these measures, we can safeguard animal populations and promote their welfare.
Conclusion
Thus, though there are many challenges which are faced by dairy sector due to low productivity of animals, but we have equal potential of overcoming these challenges with proper mitigation strategies and planning and strict application of the policies and programmes which are made for improving productivity of dairy animals. An ideal dairy farming can only be achieved by lots of dedication and proper looking after of the dairy animals and taking their care from feeding and watering to housing and bedding material to reproduction and diseases affecting them.
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