Improving Milk Production in India
A wide range of new programs from Cargill helps deliver essential solutions to a nation of dairy farmers.
January 01, 2015
In India, where the population is largely vegetarian, dairy is a primary source of protein. Milk-based paneer, ghee, yogurt and sauces are all staples of daily life, making the country both the largest consumer and the largest producer of dairy in the world. But a combination of low genetic potential, poor nutrition management and lack of veterinary support in India’s dairy cows is keeping the nation’s milk yields significantly below global standards.
In 2008, Cargill’s animal nutrition business began working with dairy farmers in the country to optimize farm management techniques and boost milk productivity. Every week, the company sent a team of veterinarians and sales personnel to share its expertise, conduct farmer group meetings and raise awareness of ways to increase productivity. Working with dairy operations of all sizes—from five cows to 100—Cargill teams educated nearly 30,000 farmers on nutrition and farm management best practices in 2014 alone. In addition, the company began a text messaging campaign to send weekly farm management tips to over 30,000 dairy, aqua and poultry farmers, with a goal of ultimately reaching more than 100,000 farmers.
In spring of 2014, Cargill broke ground on a state-of-the-art feed mill in Bathinda, Punjab, at the northern tip of India, to cater to the growing need for quality feed in Punjab and its surrounding states. In the southern town of Doddaballapur, Karnataka, Cargill also built a new technical application center to research further feed innovations for customers.
“The dairy feed mill, the focus on education and our complementary research in innovation will help us deliver essential solutions to Indian dairy farmers.”
— Achyuth Iyengar, Managing Director of Animal Feed and Nutrition, Cargill India
At a 2014 milking competition organized at the Progressive Dairy Farmers Association Expo, Cargill demonstrated the success of its programs in India. Cows from four Cargill-sponsored farmers took home gold, silver and bronze medals in the milk production category. All four customers used Purina® Milkgen 10000 and feed rations developed by Cargill’s dairy program. In a country that depends on dairy, Cargill’s expertise and dedication to India’s milk industry is clear. The company continues its innovative efforts to provide the best solutions for farmers, their herds and their customers.
PURINA® is a licensed trademark of Societe des Produits Nestle.