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National Conference on 'Dairying - A Tool for Livelihood, Health and Nutrition' at MAFSU, Nagpur

Two days national conference on 'Dairying - a Tool for Livelihood, Health & Nutrition' was organized by IDA (West Zone) in association with Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University (MAFSU), Nagpur during August17-18, 2024 at Nagpur Veterinary College, Nagpur. The conference brought together industry professionals to discuss s different issues related to milk production and productivity. About 650 delegates participated in the conference.

Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon'ble Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Govt. of India inaugurated the conference and distributed the awards constituted by IDA (WZ).

Dr. N.V. Patil, Hon'ble Vice-chancellor, MAFSU, Nagpur extended a warm welcome all dignitaries and delegates and appreciated the efforts of IDA to organize this conference at Nagpur. He also acquainted the audience with the work done of MAFSU for the dairy farmers in the Vidarbha and Marathwada region of Maharashtra.

Dr. J.B. Prajapati, Chairman, IDA (WZ) also welcomed all the participants elucidated the main purpose of the conference to educate the society about the contributions of dairying for health, nutrition and livelihood. He also informed that IDA (WZ) is active in the five states including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Goa.

Dr. R.S. Sodhi, President-IDA congratulated IDA (WZ) and MAFSU, Nagpur for organizing this conference in Nagpur for the first time. He thanked milk producers of country for making India the highest milk producing country in the world. Nowadays, we are contributing 24% of the world milk production. He said that, we have a big challenge namely, mindset of policy makers, media and average consumers. When the milk prices are increased, it is reported as inflation but nobody report that it's an increase in the income of milk producers. So, we need to accept that increase in the prices of milk or agriculture produce is not inflation but it is food prosperity. The other important point is that we should try to reduce the cost of processing per kg while maintaining quality of the milk and milk products which will attract interest of the consumers. We need to increase the milk yield per animal by using innovation and improving breed quality and feeding. He also emphasized that, we must make efforts to ensure that our products are accepted in overseas markets as we have great potential to export dairy products.

Dr. Raghavendra Bhatta, DDG, (Animal Science), ICAR-New Delhi congratulated the IDA (WZ) and MAFSU, Nagpur for organizing the national conference on the very important theme for the western part of India and he said that deliberations in the conference will be beneficial to the all stakeholders of dairy sector.

Dr. Meenesh Shah, Chairman, NDDB expressed gratitude to Shri Nitin Gadkari for gracing the conference and proving support to NDDB and Mother Dairy for Vidarbha-Marathwada project targeting collection of 5 lakh litres of milk today. The project is operational in 11 districts with more than 3,000 villages collecting milk from including more than 35,000 dairy farmers. These collective efforts have contributed significantly to increasing farmers' income and solving their problems. Dr. Shah said that Maharashtra government has recently approved the second phase of this project. NDDB, Mother Dairy will now expand the project in all 19 districts of Vidarbha-Marathwada, and move towards achieving the revised target of 10 lakh litres. In regards to preparing biogas from dung, he said that the technology to convert biogas into bio-CNG is an important step towards sustainability. NDDB has installed more than 25,000 biogas plants of 2 cubic meters in farmers' house in Kolhapur, Pune, Sumul Union and other places. These plants provide a good energy source for cooking in farmers' homes and can use obtained slurries as organic fertilizers. NDDB has established 4,000 cubic meter biogas plant, which can be used in milk processing, generating thermal and electrical energy.

IDA (WZ) has constituted the Best Dairy Plant and Best Woman Dairy Farmer awards for the states of western India viz., Gujrat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Goa and Chhattisgarh in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the growth and development of the Indian dairy sector from this year. The award consisted of a certificate, citation, trophy and a cash prize of Rs. 20,000/- especially for the women farmer awardees. Hon'ble Minister presented the awards to the following awardees:

Best Women Dairy Farmer Awards: Gujarat: Ms. Parulben Patel, Mehul Dairy Farm, Chikhodara, Kaira Milk Union
Maharashtra: Ms. Lata Redekar, Kai Ku. Manau Uttam Redekar Sahakari Dudh Vyavsaik Sanstha, Kolhapur Zilla Sahakari Dudh Utpadak Sangh Ltd.
Madhya Pradesh: Ms. Vandana Nagar, Dugdha Sahakari Samiti Rasulpura, Bhopal Sahakari Dugdha Sangh Maryadit
Goa: Ms. Radha Timblo, Ekta Sahakari Dudh Vyavasayik Sanstha, Goa State Coop. Milk Producers's Union Ltd
Special Women Farmer award was given to Padmshree Smt. Phoolbasan Bai Yadav, Raipur, CG.

Under Best Dairy Plant awards, runners up and winners are as under:
Gujarat:
Winner: Surat-Tapi Dist Coop Milk Producers Union Ltd
Runner up: Kheda Satellite Dairy, Khatraj (A Unit of Amul Dairy, Anand)

Maharashtra: Winner: Kolhapur Zilla Sah. Dudh Utpadak Sangh Ltd.
Runner up: Govind Milk & Milk Products Pvt Ltd. and Mother Dairy Fruit & Vegetable Pvt. Ltd.

Madhya Pradesh:
Winner: Indore Sahakari Dugdh Sangh Maryadit
Runner up: Ujjain Sahakari Dugdh Sangh Maryadit

Shri Nitin Gadkari in his inaugural speech indicated that 12-14% contribution in the country's GDP is from agricultural and affiliated sectors, including 65% population. To increase this contribution, he motivated the congregation to increase efficiency in agriculture and related sectors with appropriate technology and future planning based on water, land, forest and animals. Hon'ble Minister praised the work done by NDDB and mother dairy done in the Vidarbha-Marathwada region to increase the milk production. He emphasized on technological transfer, increased productivity, increased processing, and future planning at grassroot level. He also praised the work of MAFSU under the leadership of Vice Chancellor, Dr. N.V. Patil and asked to work hard to increase the milk production of indigenous cow breeds in the area. While advising the use of local raw materials for animal fodder in Vidarbha, he talked about the fodder price reduction. He suggested that everything can be produced or manufactured domestically and locally, bringing profitability to the region. The minister talked about preparing cow farms with local breeds such as Gir, Rathi and suggested to increase the productivity of cows with embryo transfer technology.

The conference had two technical sessions and two panel discussions in the afternoon on August 18, 2024.

Technical Session 1 was on the theme 'Dairying for Livelihood & Entrepreneurship' was chaired by Dr. R.R.B. Singh, VC, DSVCKV, Durg (CH).

Panel Discussion on August 17, 2024 afternoon was on the theme "Future Trends of Dairying, Research & Development" which was moderated by Dr. Raghavendra Bhatta, DDG (Animal Science), ICAR.

There was a cultural evening depicting the various song and dance forms of the Maharashtra State. This was followed by a dinner in the venue.

On August 18, 2024, Technical Session 2 was held on “Dairy Awareness Program for the Society”. Shri Anil Hatekar, MD, Mahananda Dairy acted as the Chairman while Dr. Atanu Jana, Ex Principal, SMC College of Dairy Science, KU, Anand worked as Co-chairman. Dr. K.D. Aparnathi, Retd. Head, DC, SMC College of DSC, Anand presented on the role of milk in human nutrition while Dr. J.B. Prajapati, Chairman, IDA (WZ) talked on the value of milk in human health and Lifestyle diseases. Ms Richie Agarwal, ZEC member of IDA (WZ) presented on "Dairying for livelihood of farmers and happiness of the society" and Dr. Dhiraj Kankhare, Head, ICRTC, MPKV, Pune talked on importance of Indigenous cattle's in social bonding.

The Panel Discussion with Industry Leaders was moderated by Dr. J.V. Parekh, Vice Chairman, IDA (WZ).

During the Valedictory Session on August 18, 2024, Dr. J.B. Prajapati welcomed all the members and expressed his gratitude to MAFSU team for the success of the conference. The Chief Guest for the function, Dr. C.D. Mayee, Former Chairman, ASRB, New Delhi emphasized the role of dairying in the upliftment of Indian farmer economy and the priority and support extended to the farmers of Vidarbha state region by the Government.

Dr. P.G. Wasnik, Convener and Dean (DT), MAFSU, Nagpur presented the brief report of the conference. He summarized the salient points and suggestions emerged out of the conference. Dr. S.V. Upadhey, DI-MAFSU, Nagpur, Dr. N.V. Kurkure, DR-MAFSU, Nagpur and Dr. A.U. Bhikane, DEE, MAFSU, Nagpur were present as the guests of honour. The function was chaired by Dr. Nitin V. Patil, Vice-Chancellor, MAFSU, Nagpur.

On behalf of IDA (WZ) and MAFSU, Ms. Richie Agrawal, Co-organizing Secretary, thanked all participants, farmers, students and the committees for their valuable work, which helped in the success of the conference. She specifically thanked all the sponsors and the MAFSU team members for extending all support for successfully organizing the conference. Outstanding support from NDDB Dairy services was highly appreciated.