Dairy Farming

Despite fast growth in all other sectors of the economy, agriculture and animal husbandry in India continue to play a key role in providing employment to a large section of the population of the country.

With the advancement of science and technology, the sector has emerged to be one of the profitable professions not only for rural masses but also for young and educated masses living in urban areas.

Now, there exist a number of career avenues within the agricultural industry, ranging from farm management to careers in related areas like horticulture, dairy farming, poultry farming, and many others. The individuals can find employment in industries related to the field.

Dairy farming is concerned with producing milk and milk products and raising and breeding of cattle. The dairy industry produces a range of milk products — milk, butter, cheese, ghee, condensed milk, powdered milk, yoghurt, etc.

While providing raw material for many other industries. India, which enjoys a geographical advantage, in the international market, is the largest producer of milk and the second largest producer of milk products in the world. With these advantages in India, the possibility of finding employment is more in this sector.

Dairy Farming Eligibility Criteria

For making a professional career in dairy farming one should have relevant educational qualification with experience. For pursuing undergraduate course a candidate requires a minimum 10 + 2 Science with Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Biology and English and with a minimum aggregate of 55 %. Selection is on the basis of an All India Entrance Examination.

The B.Sc/ B.Tech (Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry) is a four year program after 10+2, and the Dairy Diploma course of two years duration for lower level technical positions.

After graduating in dairying, candidates can opt for further studies and specialization through a Master'' program in Dairying, or related areas such as genetics and breeding, livestock production, animal biotechnology or of food technology and preservation.
 

Dairy Farming Career Prospects

The two main areas of activity in the Dairy Industry include

a) Production, which begins with the most important task of all, i.e obtaining milk, as also breeding of high yielding cattle and taking care of the animals. Veterinary Scientists are usually best suited for such jobs.

They are appointed as Procurement Officers and have to visit villages in order talk to farmers and influence them to sell their milk. Dairy scientists conduct experiments to determine the effects of different kinds of feeds and environmental conditions on the quantity, quality and nutritive value of milk produced. They also conduct research in areas of breeding, feeding and management of dairy cattle.

b) Processing involves handling milk for distribution, its conversion into dairy products and so forth. This work normally begins after the milk has reached the plant. Here milk is converted into a variety of dairy products, such as cheese, chocolates, ice cream, butter ghee and so on.

Dairy Technologists deal with this aspect of the industry, and also work to further develop improved methods in production, preservation and utilisation of milk, and milk products.

Dairy farming also engages services of dairy engineers, who are responsible for the setting up and maintenance of dairy plants and related activities; and marketing personnel who handle the marketing and sales of milk and milk products.

Employment Opportunities in Dairy Farming

Employment opportunities exist in both government and private sectors. The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), a multi-locational organisation involved in planning, implementing, financing and supporting farmer-owned professionally agri-business enterprises is the core PSU in this field, although with almost every state aping Amul’s ‘cooperative’ success, employment opportunities have increased manifold for both technologists as well as managers, both in production as well as marketing.

With the entry of multinational giants like Nestle, Cadburys, Britannia, Kelloggs, Heritage Foods, KFC, HLL, etc. into the Indian market, employment opportunities as well as salaries have received a further boost.

Traditional Indian market leaders like Mother Dairy, Indana, Milkfood, Amul, Dalmia, Dabur, Cadburys, Vadilal, Parag, Vijaya and Milkfed (Verka) are also modernising and diversifying their operations and exploring non-traditional channels to boost demand.

For young individuals looking at a career away from the hurly-burly of urban life, dairy farming could be one of the most attractive choices available.
 

Dairy Farming Institutes & Training

There are several agricultural universities and institutes in the country offering courses in dairy technology,
dairy farming and dairy management. Some of them are also offering diploma level courses.

The eligibility for admission to most of these courses is on merit basis. Some institutes conduct entrance tests. The duration of the courses ranges from two to four and a half years, although most courses are of four-year duration.

Postgraduate courses in dairy sciences/technology can be pursued by graduates in dairying or related fields of agriculture, veterinary sciences, pure sciences, engineering, food technology, etc. However, an entrance exam has to be cleared for seeking admission to a PG course. These courses are offered at:

• Gujarat Agricultural University, Gujarat
• Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore
• West Bengal University of Animal & Fishery Sciences, Kolkata

Specialization is offered at the Master’s level — dairy technology, dairy chemistry, dairy microbiology, dairy engineering, dairy extension education, food technology, genetics and greeding, dairy quality control, animal biotechnology, livestock production and management, dairy production and many others.

You can even pursue academics (teaching & research) by doing a PhD, for which you will again have to take an all-India level entrance exam (JEST).

Besides, diploma courses are also offered at some universities. The National Dairy Research Institute, Southern Regional Station, Bangalore, offers a two-year diploma in dairy technology.

Some of the prominent institutions offering courses in dairy technology are: 

• National Dairy Research Institute (Deemed University)
  Karnal-132 001
  Phone (Office): 0184-2252800, 2259002
  (Residence): 0184-2253004; 2271612; 2259406
  Fax: 0184-2250042
  
• National Dairy Research Institute, Bangalore.

• Sheth MC College of Dairy Sciences, Anand, Gujarat.
• Dairy Science Institute, Aarey Milk Colony, Bombay
• College of Dairy Sciences, Udaipur, Rajasthan
• Veterinary College, Hebbal, Karnataka