The milk business is one type of agriculture that focuses on milk production. It involves the raising of extremely milk-productive cows for commercial use to produce milk. Cheese, milk, yoghurt and various dairy items are part of the Indian diet.
Dairy farming is an enormous unorganised industry in India and is a major source of income for rural regions. Dairy farming is a type of agriculture that aims at producing large quantities of milk that farmers can profit from in the long term. It is then processed (either at the farm or in the dairy plant) to eventually sell dairy products.
Small and commercial-scale dairy farms in India play an essential role in the production of milk and the nation's overall economic development. The whole of India is suitable for setting up the milk business.
Want to learn how to start a dairy business? Well, read on to find out.
Did You Know?
India is the world's largest milk producer. India stands 1st in milk production and contributes around 23% of global milk production. The success of the milk business in India can be reflected by the fact that milk production has grown at a thrilling 6.2% compound annual growth rate.In 2014-15, it was 14.63 crore tonnes, while in 2020-21, the number rose to 20.99 crore tonnes. You can also start a milk dairy business in India and become a part of the nation's success story.
How to Start Milk Dairy Business in India?
Let's get some crucial information on the various steps involved in starting an enterprise in dairy farming.
There are a few essential tasks to be completed before beginning an enterprise in dairy farming. They are:
- Consulting with experts/professionals and market leaders conducting thorough business research
- Focusing on the importance of a safe and healthy animal infrastructure
- Initiating feeding and waste management programs
- Obtaining licences from the authorities concerned with funding or taking business loans
- The finalising of a name for your company
- Registering your business as a corporation or as an MSME
To start a small dairy farming enterprise, entrepreneurs must select fewer cattle in the beginning. Later on, the number of cattle may be increased, as per demand.
The milk business owner needs a registration certificate for their company when registering the company as a sole proprietorship partnership, limited liability partnership, public NGO, private limited, or other.
Also Read: Learn About Starting a Milk Distribution Business in India
Facilities Needed
The next step is for milk business owners to manage and own the various facilities needed to start the dairy farming industry. They are:
- A system of irrigation to feed the grass
- Storage room for manure and feed
- Milking store
- Sterile facility for the storage of milk and pasteurising purpose
- Barns or sheds
- Other equipment and machinery
In addition, when business owners are learning how to start a dairy business in India, they have to get permits, licences and approvals from the relevant authorities. A licence is required to allow crossing animals between states under certain circumstances, such as vaccinations, sickness, etc.
The Requirements for Shelter and Space for Dairy Farming Animals
Animals everywhere need to be provided with shelter for their protection and ease of life. They perform better when the environmental conditions are ideal. The animals must be kept safe from low and high temperatures and strong sunlight, snowfall, frost, strong winds, heavy rain, high humidity, ectoparasites and endoparasites.
The ideal temperature range for dairy breeds like buffaloes, cows and goats is between 15 to 27 degrees Celsius. Animals feel stressed when temperatures rise above 40 degrees C.
Build Equity
Dairy farming involves huge capital investment. Equipment, buildings, land and cows can be costly, and only a handful of new dairy farmers will be able to buy everything once they begin their milk business. Most beginner farmers begin by purchasing their first cows before renting their farm and land. The first animals you purchase are your farm's equity.
Dairy Farming Can Be Described as a Biological System
The dairy farm's success is contingent on the cow's capacity to lead a happy and healthy life and produce milk. They also produce calves that can go on to become assets to the farm.
Dairy farming demands detailed plans for the health of herds that reproduce, calf health, and the farm's nutritional and financial aspects. Together with your veterinarian, genetics representatives and extension agents can assist you in establishing complete farm plans, leading to the establishment of a thriving farm.
One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Each dairy farm is unique and varies according to the producer's needs and requirements for resources. Many different systems could prove to be profitable. Certain producers contract out the replacement to a custom-designed heifer raiser. Others diversify by selling crops and raising steers or by establishing at-home bottling facilities. The way you farm will depend on your needs, finances and skills.
Dairy Breeds from India
As part of the dairy farming setup, it is essential to be cautious in choosing the right dairy breed to meet the requirements. India is a major reservoir of genetic resources from the bubaline era.
There are 10 varieties of buffaloes in India, with a population of around 97 million. They are:
- Murrah
- Nagpuri
- Bhadawari
- Jaffarabadi
- Nili Ravi
- Surti
- Mehsana
- Toda
- Godavari
- Pandharpuri
The Management of Fodder at the Dairy Farm
The feed contents of the main feed:
- Maise
- Berseem
- Trifolium Alexandrinum L
- Bajra or Pearl Millet Pennisetum Typhoides
- Jowar Sorghum Bicolor
- Teosinte Euchlaena Mexicana Schrad
- Cowpea Vigna Unguiculata
- Oats Avena Sativa
The Requirements in the Dairy Agriculture Milk Business Plans
Below are the elements that comprise Dairy Farming. You'll need these to set up and run your own dairy company:
Breeds Selection and Vaccination
To produce the most milk possible, there must be a good selection of cow breeds. In addition, to prevent illnesses and ensure cows' health and health, the person who cares for them should follow an exact vaccination schedule.
Land
Farmers must maintain their cultivated areas or special areas to grow fodder crops to feed cattle. The area of land that needs to be cultivated will depend on the number of cattle. One acre of land should be enough to feed 7-10 cows.
Shed
There should be a covered area constructed in the farmland before taking cattle in.
Fodder and water
These two things must be plentiful as water is essential to the development of green fodder. Fodder aids in the proper nutrition of cattle.
Also Read: How To Get Dairy Farm Loan & What To Look Before Getting It?
Milking Practices at Dairy Farm
An individual should conduct the milkers' training from the company that manufactures milking machines. The person should be knowledgeable about the science behind milking machines and the function, design and maintenance of the equipment used for milking. The idea of milking by machine is best adopted slowly, and by those people the cattle are familiar with and should be done under the guidance of an expert.
It should cover introduction procedures, including milking routine, machine maintenance and cleaning processing, along with certain aspects of day-to-day maintenance for the device. The installation of the milking machine and any other modifications to the dairy farm must be done before you start milking through machines.
It is best to begin with, heifers since they should become familiar with the machines far more easily than older cattle.
Choose calm animals for your dairy products business. Angry, unwell, or those animals with previous problems aren't worth choosing.
Milk the older animals in the same way you normally do by hand but allow the vacuum pump to run during the milking. This will get the animals comfortable with the noise. The pump should be turned on before you start the actual milking process. Tie the cattle, or else the sudden sound may scare the animals. Repeat the process (usually between 2-4 times) until all the cattle have become familiar with the sound.
Conclusion
India is a place of opportunities for investors looking for new markets. Dairy food processing has huge potential for large returns. The dairy food industry in India has experienced a rise in recent times because of the increased demand for dairy products driven by an increase in milk production.
The growth surge is principally due to growth in ice cream and milk powder as a part of the dairy food industry. The dairy farms of India, whether small or commercial scale, contribute significantly to the nation's milk production as well as its economic development. The milk business can be established in any part of India.
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