Small dairy farmers are real strength of Indian dairy sector: Gujarat CM
Small dairy farmers are the real strength of the Indian dairy sector. Dairy farmers must look for value addition, and focus on the quality of milk and milk products for sustainable growth,” he said at the concluding session of the 49th Dairy Industry Conference organised by Indian Dairy Association here.
Harvir Singh
Gandhinagar: Gujarat has been a model of overall development and is also a leader in the dairy industry with a 20% share in the country’s milk production, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said on Saturday.
“Small dairy farmers are the real strength of the Indian dairy sector. Dairy farmers must look for value addition, and focus on the quality of milk and milk products for sustainable growth,” he said at the concluding session of the 49th Dairy Industry Conference organised by Indian Dairy Association here.
Taking place in Gujarat after 27 years, the three-day Conference brought together dairy experts and professionals from India and overseas, dairy cooperatives, milk producers, government officials, scientists, policymakers, planners, academicians and other stakeholders.
Prestigious awards including the Dr Kurien Award, IDA Patron Award, and IDA Fellowship Awards, were also conferred on the occasion.
In his welcome address, R S Sodhi, President of Indian Dairy Association, said, “The Indian dairy industry has achieved phenomenal growth because of determined efforts to become atma nirbhar in milk, strong supply chain managed by farmers, and investments in infrastructure. We must make efforts to ensure our products are accepted in overseas markets and we are exporting 20% of our production.”
Meenesh Shah, Chairman, National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), said, “India must take leadership and take its cooperative model to neighbouring countries. We have already started talks with Sri Lanka to help it become self-reliant. We are also talking with Nepal and Kenya to help their dairy farmers by implementing our learnings.”
In his address, Piercristiano Brazzale, President of International Dairy Federation, said that global leaders must take note of India’s success in the dairy sector and support their dairy farmers with the right policies.
He also said that IDF is keen to support the Indian dairy sector meet various challenges.
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary of Animal Husbandry & Dairying Department, spoke about the initiatives of the central government to improve the health of livestock and enhance their productivity.
State Cooperation Minister Jagdish Vishwakarma, IDF Director General Caroline Emond, and chairmen of various dairy cooperatives were also present at the Indian Dairy Summit. Amul Dairy MD Amit Vyas presented the vote of thanks at the Indian Dairy Summit.
The Dairy Industry Conference brought together industry professionals to discuss global dairy trends, farm innovations, sustainability within the sector, climate change, nutrition, and health with the objective of making India a hub of dairy innovations and solutions.
The latest technologies in milk production, storage, processing, and packaging solutions were also displayed during the three-day expo.
