December 23, 2024

 

Report highlights pathways to boost dairy productivity and tackle emissions in India

A recent report, titled India's Dairy Future: Aligning Livelihoods, Growth, and Climate Solutions, outlines strategies to enhance dairy productivity in India while addressing greenhouse gas emissions from the sector.

 

These strategies include balanced diets, effective breeding and manure management, and the adoption of precision dairy farming technologies.

 

The report notes that India's female bovine population has doubled from 122.7 million in 1972 to 246.7 million in 2019, resulting in a similar increase in greenhouse gas emissions from dairy animals. By 2050, India's livestock sector is projected to contribute 15.7% of global enteric methane emissions. Methane emissions, primarily from livestock, make India the third-largest emitter of methane globally, according to data published by the International Energy Agency earlier this year.

 

Despite the substantial increase in female bovine numbers, milk yield per cow in India remains low. It stands at only two-thirds of the global average and is significantly lower than yields in developed countries. Compounding this issue, climate change is negatively affecting dairy productivity and livestock health. Rising temperatures, water scarcity, and erratic weather patterns are reducing milk yields, impairing reproduction, and increasing the risk of disease. These challenges place financial strain on smallholder farmers, who rely on irrigation for feed crops.

 

The report, prepared by the Confederation of Indian Industry's Food and Agriculture Centre of Excellence and the Environmental Defence Fund, highlights the need for climate-resilient practices to improve productivity and resilience. Balanced diets, supported by initiatives like the National Dairy Development Board's Ration Balancing Programme, can improve livestock productivity while reducing emissions. Practices such as silage feeding and the use of crops like maize and sorghum are particularly advantageous for smallholder farmers in water-scarce regions.

 

Innovative solutions, including hydroponics and climate-resilient forage crops such as Bajra, Napier, and millets, offer sustainable options to address fodder shortages in drought-prone areas. However, widespread adoption of these solutions depends on better extension services, robust feed quality standards, and improved supply chain infrastructure.

 

Breeding management also plays a critical role. Artificial insemination using high-genetic-merit bulls is widely adopted, but challenges like poor estrus detection and repeat breeding necessitate multiple inseminations. Improved outcomes require better animal health services, cold chain infrastructure, and staff training.

 

Manure management practices, such as composting, vermicomposting, and biogas production, can reduce methane emissions significantly. Enhanced awareness, improved veterinary services, and cost-effective technologies are necessary to address gaps in these practices.

 

Precision dairy farming technologies, including automated milking systems and climate-resilient sheds, offer efficiency gains but are currently accessible mainly to larger farms due to high costs. Developing affordable solutions could extend these benefits to smallholder farmers, who produce 62% of India's milk supply and remain the backbone of the industry.

 

India is the world's largest milk producer, contributing 25% of global milk production. The sector accounts for 5% of India's gross domestic product and provides essential nutrition to millions. With over 300 million dairy cattle and buffaloes, addressing these challenges is critical for the sustainability of the industry and the livelihoods it supports.

 

-      Outlook Business