Low Productivity of Indian Dairy Animals: Challenges & Mitigation strategies
Dr. Pubaleem Deka
Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Medicine,
Institute of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry,
Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan, Bhubaneswar, Odisha-751003
The dairy sub- sector occupies an important place in the India economy as this sector is the second largest agricultural commodity in contributing to GDP next to rice. India is the world’s largest producer and consumer of milk and is home to the largest bovine population in the world. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying’s most recent data indicates that, as of 2019, India had 148 million buffaloes and roughly 303 million cattle, making it the country with the biggest bovine population worldwide. India is also the largest producer and consumer of milk and milk products, with an estimated production of 198 million tonnes in 2019-20. The global dairy consumption is rapidly expanding reaching around 853 million metric tons in 2020, where India is emerging as a leading global player followed by United States, China, Pakistan, and Brazil. This could be possible due to the revolutionary progress known as the ‘White Revolution’ which was facilitated by technological advancements in production and enhanced linkages between production and marketing via a network of dairy cooperatives which has resulted in increase in milk output due to increase in both the number of dairy animals and their productivity. Moreover, the dairy industry plays a crucial role in the Indian economy, providing employment and livelihoods to millions of people, especially in rural areas. The country has a long tradition of milk production, and both large-scale and small-scale dairy farming practices exist.
However, the milk yields of dairy animals in India remain significantly lower than those reported globally. Thus, milk yield improvement from in-milk animals would remain an important pathway to improving farmers’ incomes and reducing the emission intensity of milk production. Decreased productivity in dairy animals can be attributed to a number of causes, some of which are covered here-
Challenges for lower productivity of dairy animals
- Constraints in animal health mangement and breeding services
An efficient and responsive veterinary network is vital for development of dairy production. Dairy animals are susceptible to various diseases, including FMD, Rinderpest, IBR, Tuberculosis, Paratuberculosis, Brucellosis, Haemorrhagic Septicaemia, Dermatitis, Theileriosis, Babesiosis, and Anaplasma due to inadequate hygienic and nutritional situations. In addition, non-availability of potent vaccines, unavailability of emergency veterinary services, inadequate supply of medicines are the major challenges which causes frequent disease outbreaks affecting the productivity of dairy animals. Moreover, failure of artificial insemination, repeat breeding, lack of availability of progeny bulls for breeding, infertility etc. are the major breeding constraints leading to lower milk output.
- Shrinkage of pastures and lack of proper nutrition
Meeting the rising demand for milk and meat is a serious concern, with FAO forecasting a large increase in worldwide consumption, particularly in emerging nations, by 2050. However, one of the primary causes of low productivity in most underdeveloped countries is poor nutrition. It is extremely disturbing that a large number of indigenous cattle lack essential nutrients and vitamins. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies deprive animals of their potential and expose them to a variety of serious health issues. Mineral deficiencies may be the primary cause of sterility, low production, delayed and stunted growth, late calving, and many other issues of this kind. In addition, shrinking pastures and shortage of green fodder hardly leaves any scope for grazing which leads to apparent production losses. Due to increasing pressure on land, farmers find it difficult to allocate sufficient land for fodder production. In addition to this, occurrence of natural calamities like draught or flood further aggravates the problem, and animals become the main victims of such disasters. The available fodders are often of inferior qualities and get contaminated with aflatoxins and other foreign materials due to improper storage and maintenance. Small, marginal farmers and landless laborers engaged in dairy farming cannot afford to buy expensive feed and fodder thus affecting the dairy animals.
- Climate change and unfavourable weather conditions
Climate change is the term commonly used to characterise global warming, which is the continuous rise in the average global temperature and its impact on the Earth’s climate system. Reduced performance attributes, disease outbreaks, heat stress, problems with breeding, and inefficient use of feed resources are only a few of the immediate and measurable effects of climate change on livestock. The thermoneutral zone (TNZ), which is normally between 5°C and 25°C, is the ideal temperature range for lactating dairy cows to survive and produce at their highest potential. However, dairy cattle that are not in this thermoneutral zone whether because of higher temperatures or lower temperatures, suffer from heat stress or cold stress. Under heat stress, there is reduced nutritional intake and absorption in the portal-drained viscera of cows which causes a decrease in milk output. A decrease in milk output can be attributed to the disruption of food metabolism caused by the blood flow shift towards peripheral tissues for cooling purposes.
- Lack of knowledge of dairy farmers
Over 70 per cent of rural households in India own livestock, and most of these households are small, marginal, and landless. The inability of the farmers to acquire adequate knowledge on IT infrastructure and tools, non- implementation of new technologies and the lack of proper knowledge regarding the scientific management of dairy animals are the major obstacles that leads to inadequate milk production. Moreover, the signs and consequences of mineral deficiencies are mostly unknown to farmers.
- Dairy farming practice and Scientific housing
Housing is one of the most important requirements for dairy cows in terms of productivity, health, and well-being. It should be designed so that in the summer, the building can limit heat gain while increasing heat loss by radiation and conduction. Uncomfortable housing has a negative impact on housed animals, making them not only more prone to sickness but also less productive.
- Policy constraints
Lack of ground-level research by government agencies, inadequate policies, unavailability of animal insurance, low incentives or bonuses for delivering milk, and cumbersome procedures for obtaining insurance subsidies are some of the problems that farmers encounter when considering dairy farming.
Mitigation strategies to increase the productivity of Indian dairy animals
- Improved veterinary and breeding services
Providing veterinary services at the ‘doorstep’ would make drastic improvements in animal health. Fortification of rural veterinary network is essential to overpower the health and breeding problems in the rural areas. Mobile veterinary hospitals with veterinarian, drugs, vaccines, artificial insemination and surgical facilities would be of much help in this direction. Procurement of superior quality progeny bulls for crossbreeding will help to increase the milk production of local dairy animals.
- Improved feeding practises
With a focus on utilising higher-quality roughage and better use of concentrate in the diet, are thought to hold significant potential for increasing milk yield in India. Farmers require better fodder crop types that can adapt to their cropping patterns without compromising income and consumption. These crop varieties should be highly nutritious, multi-cut, short-duration, and high yielding. Development and adoption of low-cost fodder technologies to improve the fodders’ digestibility, nutritional content, and overall quality. To further address these issues, establishing functional feed and fodder kiosks as well as fodder banks would be a good idea.
- Balanced rations with fortified minerals and vitamins
A balanced ration enhances milk production and increases the net daily income of dairy farmers. Additionally, the average daily milk yield per cow typically increases by 0.2 to 1.0 kg, with a concurrent rise in milk fat content by 0.2 to 0.6 per cent units. Furthermore, a balanced ration often leads to an increase in the solid-not-fat (SNF) content of milk. Adding meals like canola meal and spirulina to the diet of lactating animals may somewhat enhance the milk production. All of the necessary vitamins, minerals, and amino acids are present in spirulina. Additionally, it contains a lot of fatty acids and carotenoids, particularly gamma linoleic acid (GLA), which has been linked to health advantages having the potential to increase milk production.
- Reducing heat stress in animals
The adverse effects of climate change are manifested by rising temperatures, forest fires, flash floods, droughts, and other natural calamities. In addition to cutting-edge technology like tunnel ventilation, cooling devices including fans, misters, sprinklers, and chilled waterbeds, some managemental changes such as rearranging feeding schedules and providing shade to the animals are essential to reduce heat stress and maintain good health of dairy animals.
- Mechanization of dairy farming
Mechanization of dairy farming refers to the use of machines and equipment for various activities involved in dairy production, such as milking, feeding, cleaning, cooling, processing, packaging, and transportation. The level of mechanization in dairy farming in India is still low compared to other countries. According to a study by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), only about 10% of the dairy farmers in India use mechanized milking systems. The majority of the dairy farmers are still dependent on traditional methods of milking by hand or using simple devices like rubber tubes or buckets. Some of the possible benefits of mechanization in dairy farming are: Mechanized milking systems can help increase the milk yield per animal by stimulating more frequent and complete milking, reducing stress and injury to the animals, improving udder health and hygiene, preventing mastitis and other diseases.
- Use of newer technologies Artificial intelligence in livestock farming
The dairy industry is only one of many industries that have seen a significant transformation in recent years due to technological improvements. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the most promising technical developments that is revolutionising the practices of dairy farming. AI-driven sensors and smart devices can be used in the dairy industry to monitor a variety of herd management parameters, including individual cow health, fertility, amount of activity, rumination, and milk output.
- Artificial intelligence (AI)–powered fertility management systems enhance the likelihood of conception and reduce the time between calvings, which raises the likelihood of successful reproduction and increases milk output.
- AI-driven data analytics make it possible to create individualised, well-balanced feeds for every single cow. Additionally, by reducing feed waste, this data-driven strategy supports environmentally friendly farming practices.
- Robotic milking systems allow cows to be milked at their convenience, while preserving their natural behaviour and cycles. This personalised method to milking not only improves cow welfare but also increases milk output, as cows produce more milk when they are relaxed and comfortable while milking.
- Awareness and education of dairy farmers
To become a leading performer on a global scale, India must devise a strategy to address farmer-level concerns. In today’s changing global scenario, farmers must be educated on the scientific management of dairy animals, as well as the importance of operations such as clean milk production, processing, preservation, storage, and transportation of milk and milk products.
- Enhanced govenment policies
One of the main sectors in the country, the dairy industry serves rural populations who depend on farming and related activities. Government agencies must acknowledge the existence and significance of the challenges encountered by dairy farmers and associated stakeholders in the organised and unorganised dairy sectors. In order to strengthen the dairy sector, government authorities should concentrate on addressing the education, awareness, and training needs of dairy producers. The organisation of the dairy industry should be the main goal of policy, with the goal of addressing the challenges methodically faced by dairy producers.
Conclusion
Indian dairy industry has the potential to generate significant revenue but faces multiple obstacles in growing its dairy business in liberalised global economies. In order to increase general health and productivity of Indian dairy animals, several strategies should be adpoted and implemented to mitigate the problems. These includes regular farmer training and awareness programmes, improved animal breeds and veterinary services, scientific farming systems, proper housing, improved market infrastructure, enhanced extension services, embracing newer technologies and upgraded government policies which will lead to a healthy dairy sector and increased income of dairy farmers.
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