India’s Dairy Future: Prioritize Indigenous Cattle

The Vice-Chancellor of Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Agricultural University (PDKV), Sharad Gadakh, emphasized the importance of conserving indigenous cattle breeds for sustainable agricultural development in Maharashtra, particularly in the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions. At a special discussion hosted by PDKV, Gadakh highlighted the essential role of the dairy business in achieving sustainable agriculture and improving farmer prosperity. India, while being the world’s largest milk producer and among the top five countries for cattle population, faces a significant challenge as its per-animal milk productivity is less than half the global average. This indicates vast untapped potential within the Indian dairy industry. Gadakh expressed confidence that with improvements in nutrition, breeding programs, and management practices, Indian livestock could potentially yield at least 10 liters of milk daily. Enhancing productivity would bring substantial economic benefits to dairy farmers, significantly improving their livelihoods and contributing to the regional and national agribusiness economy. PDKV’s initiative aligns with India's strategic vision for its dairy sector, aiming to increase milk production through scientific interventions and ensure the long-term sustainability of dairy farming in one of the world’s largest dairy-producing nations.