Panelists discuss initiatives to help dairy farmers in the long run
The dairy sector and its upliftment was the main focus on day two of 12th Agrovision. The seminar was inaugurated with a lamp lighting ceremony by Nitin Gadkari, Chief Patron, Agrovision, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, in the presence of Sunil Chhatrapal Kedar, Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, Sports and Youth Welfare, Government of Maharashtra; Meenesh C Shah, Chairman, National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Dr Ashish Paturkar, Vice Chancellor, Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University (MAFSU), Nagpur along with Ravi Boratkar, MD, MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications, Publisher, MMA publications and Chairperson, Agrovision Foundation and Dr CD Mayee, Chairman-Advisory Council Agrovision, Ex-Chairman- ASRB (ICAR).
The event started with Gadkari talking about bringing in a milk revolution in the Vidarbha region using techniques that can be sustainable for farmers in the long run.
This was followed by a speech by Shah giving a glance about what role in NDDB is playing to improve the dairy sector in Vidarbha and adjoining areas. He said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a huge toll on the dairy sector; however, the industry was quick to bounce back as there was a huge demand for milk-related products.”
He recalled the government initiatives for the upliftment of the dairy sector in Marathwada and Vidarbha and procurement of milk from various villages in the region. He also mentioned how farmers are being benefitted from the money being transferred to the bank accounts.
Shah took notice of the reproductive health of cattle, livestock health, upgrading of infrastructure related to gene modification, semen analysis, IVF, training being provided by NDDB to farmers, animal nutrition and what role NDDB is playing in this regard. He talked about conserving green fodder in the form of silage to ensure a regular supply of quality fodder to bovines, especially during the lean season and farmers are being trained for the same.
A special mention of women dairy farmers and their increased participation was made by the NDDB chairman.
Kedar in his speech emphasised two major things, marketing of milk-based products and processing of milk. He informed the audience about how the Govt of Maharashtra ensured that balancing the demand-supply gap helped the dairy sector during COVID. His talk revolved around new technologies being promoted to help dairy farmers, to take the dairy industry in the Vidarbha region to newer heights.
