CSE Organises Workshop on Sustainable Dairy Farming in India
The Centre for Science and Environment’s programme is intended for dairy-sector stakeholders and other interested participants. It will assess the current use of preventive and sustainable practices, consider obstacles to wider adoption and provide a setting for participants to exchange experience across regions. A central theme is the management of disease risks before they affect herds. The workshop will cover vaccination, veterinary oversight, routine health checks and farm hygiene. Measures such as controlling animal movement, separating sick animals when required and maintaining sanitation can help limit the introduction and spread of infections. The programme will also examine methods for raising output while managing production costs. Better feed and fodder management can support animal condition, milk yields and reproductive performance. Greater access to suitable, goodquality feed may also enable farmers to use local resources more effectively. Breed selection will be considered alongside these measures. Breeding choices can take account of local climate, available feed, farm-management capacity and the objectives of individual producers. The programme’s stated approach includes animal health and resilience, as well as milk production, with attention to the circumstances of small-scale farmers. Implementation requires more than technical recommendations. The source identifies practical training, veterinary services, appropriate inputs and knowledge-sharing as necessary for putting the approaches into practice. Conditions differ according to farm size, climate, breeds, feed supplies and access to services, so methods will need to be adapted to local circumstances. The initiative is designed to promote cooperation among farmers, veterinary professionals, researchers, policymakers and dairy organisations. Interested individuals can obtain further information from Neeraj Kumar of CSE’s Sustainable Food Systems programme at neeraj_k@cseindia.org.
