TN to lead India's next dairy revolution : Min
Chennai, June 2 (UNI) Tami Nadu Minister for Milk and Dairy Development
Mano Thangaraj on Monday said 'Tamil Nadu is well-positioned to lead India's
next dairy revolution.
The revolution would be the one that is green, inclusive, and farmer-first, he
said at the valedictory of the Climate Smart Dairy Entrepreneurship Programme
held here.
He said India proudly holds the distinction of being the world's largest milk producer
--a testament to the dedication of millions of small holder farmers and their livestock.
Yet, behind this impressive statistic lies a pressing concern: low productivity. On
average, Indian dairy animals produce only one-tenth of the milk compared to their
counterparts, highlighting a significant gap in efficiency and sustainability.
A pivotal study, the Tamil Nadu Landscape Study, conducted by Kumaraguru Institutions in
partnership with the Environmental Defense Fund, uncovered the systemic barriers that
continue to hinder the dairy sector: high production costs, poor price realization and weak
last mile delivery of essential inputs and veterinary services.
The study captured the voices of farmers echoing fatigue, frustration, and an urgent demand
for transformative change. "That change is now in motion", he said.
In December 2024, Kumaraguru Institutions launched the Climate Smart Dairy Entrepreneurship
Programme, a transformative initiative aimed at fostering sustainable, resilient, and scalable
dairy farming models.
Over a three-month intensive training phase, 112 dairy entrepreneurs were equipped with
practical knowledge in breeding, nutrition, housing, animal health, and milk value addition.
These entrepreneurs are now receiving nine months of dedicated field mentoring
to support and empower over 10,000 smallholder dairy farmers across Tamil Nadu.
They are not just business owners—they are changemakers, delivering quality inputs,
reliable veterinary services, and evidence-based dairy practices to underserved
communities. Their work generates triple impact as social empowerment, economic
upliftment and environmental resilience.
A flagship highlight of the programme was the 'Dairy Yatra"-- 6,000 km cross-country
learning expedition through Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.
More than 40 entrepreneurs participated, gaining first hand exposure to innovative dairy
practices from the lush pastures of Coimbatore to the arid landscapes of Rajasthan.
This journey bridged regional wisdom with cutting-edge practices, offering a panoramic
view of India's rich dairy heritage and future potential.
This event marked the culmination of months of rigorous training, innovation, and community
engagement, celebrating the tireless efforts of the new generation of dairy entrepreneurs and
their pivotal role in shaping a more inclusive, efficient, and climate-resilient dairy ecosystem.
As India looks toward the future of agriculture, this initiative stands as a beacon of what is
possible when collaboration, scientific insight, and grassroots leadership come together in
service of a common goal.
UNI GV 2155
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
United News of India
2 hours ago
- United News of India
Afghan dry fruit traders concerned over continued closure of Attari-Wagah border
Kabul, June 21 (UNI) The closure of the Attari–Wagah border crossing, one of Afghanistan's key trade routes to India, has raised serious concerns among dried fruit exporters of Afghanistan. The Kabul Dry Fruit Exporters Union has warned that stopping freight truck movement on this route could severely disrupt both fresh and dried fruit exports, Tolo News reported. The union has urged Pakistani and Indian authorities to reopen the route permanently for Afghan cargo trucks. Khalid Rahmani, spokesperson for the union, told TOLOnews, 'We hope alternative links through Wagah and Chabahar ports will open soon. Given the current political and trade tensions between Pakistan and India, we predict a decline in exports to both countries.' After the Indian and Pakistani military tensions eased, the border reopened briefly on May 9, allowing about 162 trucks to pass, but it was shut again. At least 12 Afghan export trucks remain stuck at the crossing. With the fruit harvest season approaching, traders warn that continued closure could pose major challenges for Afghan exports. They are calling for diplomatic engagement to reopen this critical trade route. Omid Haidari, head of international relations at the Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock, said: 'We urge the leadership of the Islamic Emirate, especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to strengthen contact with the Indian Foreign Ministry so that our major trade route can be reopened.' Merchant Mahboobullah Mohammadi, said, 'Our biggest export is dried fruit, especially pine nuts, which we mostly send to India via Wagah. But the decline in exports this year has brought significant losses. Our air corridors are still shut, and large amounts of pine nuts remain unsold in local markets.' The Wagah border was closed after tensions escalated between India and Pakistan following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India, on April 22. The closure of the land border check post continues to cast a shadow over Afghanistan's regional trade. UNI ANV RN
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
FATF flags Pakistan bid to ship in missile gear from China on sly
(AI image created using ChatGPT) NEW DELHI: A new report by Financial Action Task Force has flagged Pakistan's attempts to procure equipment for its missile programme by mislabeling shipment, drawing attention to the country's failure in implementing measures to combat financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, which is one of the recommendations of the global watchdog. The report not only reveals that critical components for ballistic missiles originating from China were mislabeled in documents but also links the importer to Pakistan's National Development Complex which handles missile production. India is likely to use the revelations in its dossier to make another push for Pakistan's return to the FATF 'grey list' which identifies countries with weaknesses in their anti-money laundering and terror financing systems. These countries are subjected to closer monitoring and must demonstrate progress on corrective action plans. Pakistan has been on the list three times with the most recent sanction of 2018 lifted in 2022. In Feb 2020, a Chinese vessel named 'Da Cui Yun', which was en route to Port Qasim in Karachi, was intercepted at Gujarat's Kandla port. While the equipment was seized, the ship and its crew were allowed to leave after investigation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo In its latest report titled 'Complex Proliferation Financing and Sanctions Evasion Schemes', FATF refers to the investigation by Indian Customs. "Indian authorities confirmed that documents mis-declared the shipment's dual-use items. Indian investigators certified the items for shipment to be 'autoclaves', which are used for sensitive high energy materials and for insulation and chemical coating of missile motors," it read. "The sensitive items are included in dual-use export control lists of the Missile Technology Control Regime, India, and other jurisdictions. The Bill of Loading of the seized cargo provided evidence of the link between the importer and National Development Complex," it added. FATF may release the report next month amid hopes in India that it would expose Pakistan's inadequacies in combating terror financing - something which could potentially result in the country being placed under enhanced monitoring, and being returned to 'grey list'. This move would subject Pakistan to increased financial scrutiny, impacting foreign investment and capital inflows. India has been pushing for Pakistan's return to the list, citing its brazen support for terrorism and failure to comply with FATF norms.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Kerala fisheries crisis: Seafood exporters seek govt support
Kochi: Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI), Kerala region, sought immediate govt assistance to address a severe crisis affecting the livelihoods of 1.4 million people in the state, following environmental difficulties and export-related challenges. SEAI Kerala president, Premachandra Bhat, said Kerala has declined from its position as the leading seafood exporter to fifth place, primarily due to environmental impacts. The state's 590km coastline and nine coastal districts have seen fishing days reduced from 300 to 100 annually. This reduction is attributed to poor weather, fishing restrictions and the current 52-day trawling ban until July 31. The situation worsens as foreign factory vessels from China and Taiwan continue illegal fishing during restricted periods, diminishing local marine resources. "We urgently need stronger coastal surveillance and regulatory enforcement. While our fishermen face strict restrictions, foreign vessels continue to plunder our seas unchecked," Bhat said. He emphasised the critical need for increased domestic production. "Shrimp is the crown jewel of our exports. But without adequate raw material, even the most advanced processing facility becomes nothing more than a silent warehouse," he warned, advocating for govt support in commercial aquaculture and sustainable shrimp farming. Bhat identified the implementation of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in trawl nets as a crucial priority, essential for marine conservation and maintaining access to environmentally conscious markets like the United States. "We have the technology. We have the necessary approvals. What we now need is administrative will—an urgent push to implement TEDs without further delay," he said. Global challenges, including transport disruptions, the Russia-Ukraine war, Middle East tensions and shipping route instability, are pressuring Indian seafood exporters to maintain competitiveness against China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Ecuador. Kerala's industry continues to advance through initiatives like the Plastic-Free Seas Project, where fishermen collect marine plastic waste for proper disposal. "This is a model for the nation. It proves that sustainable practices and profitability can go hand in hand," Bhat added. Women constitute 80% of Kerala's fish processing workforce, operating in over 850 peeling sheds and 100 processing units. Highlighting the sector's significance as a women-oriented industry in Kerala, SEAI said there is a need for year-round employment. The association requested improved access to working capital loans for raw material procurement during peak seasons and continuous processing in lean periods. "When you support this industry, you are not just protecting exports—you are empowering thousands of women and securing countless family incomes," he said, adding that the govt should utilise Kerala's NRI-supported banking system to provide targeted assistance for fish processing facilities.
