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India is the world's largest producer of milk for over 20 years. This production mainly responds to growing domestic demand, and relies almost entirely on millions of small herds (3 female buffaloes or cows) fed with local crop residues. This paper aims to assess the socio-economic and environmental sustainability of this dairy development model by implementing different approaches at various geographical scales. To assess such a model is complex. On the one hand, the recycling of biomass for livestock feed is mainly practiced by the poorest farmers, who have a limited access to land, markets and other resources. It sustains their employment and livelihoods, but also their food security since theyconsume part of their milk production. On the other hand, the intensive use of subsidized mineral fertilizers and energy for irrigation to produce crop grains and residues leads to high fossil energy uses and greenhouse gas emissions per litre of milk, calling into question the model's environmental sustainability. Our results need to be explored further by (i) investigating more case studies to develop a larger picture of the diversity of the Indian dairy sector, and (ii) integrating the different approaches and levels within a larger framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dairy sector has been poised for fierce competitiveness due to the commercialization of the dairy sector and the presence of a global market size of 893 billion dollars. It has received a new dimension with the challenge of environmental sustainability. Considering all these challenges, the present research paper studies the major growth factors and the sustainable approach to dairy development in an emerging economy like India. Fifteen major dairy-developed states of India have contributed 90% of the milk production of the country examined from 2001 to 2019. The significance of key growth factors for dairy farming and the dairy value chain is assessed. The opportunity for sustainable dairying is examined. The authors have found that the growth factors of dairy farming and dairy value chain are significant by 1% through the fixed effect (FE) model and random effect (RE) model respectively. Indian dairy farming practices and their approach create optimism about environmental sustainability. The present study has observed a series of operational activities that are conducive to the triple bottom approach. With that, this study has mentioned strategies that can steer growth momentum and support sustainable Indian dairy development in the coming times. [Display omitted] • Three key areas, namely, dairy farming, dairy value chain and environmentally friendly practices for sustainable dairy development. • Two main types of variables (internal and external growth factors) are involved in the development of the dairy farming. • Strategies are formulated to improve milk productivity. • In line with the triple bottom line approach, a series of operational activities are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India has the largest dairy industry in the world and accounts for a significant share of the global emission of livestock methane ( CH 4 ), a potent greenhouse gas (GHG). While previous works have examined the large-scale livestock CH 4 emissions in India, bottom-up studies are essential to account for the diverse farm conditions and practices across the subcontinent. We developed a Methane Calculator for Indian livestock sector using the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Tier 2 methodology for estimating methane emissions from enteric fermentation and manure management. Using this calculator, we undertook a study of emissions from four dairy farms in the tropical coastal district of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, in June 2019. Livestock population and milk production data were collected from the four farms, to compute a mean CH 4 emission of 0.7183 kg CO 2 equivalents/kg of fat and protein corrected milk (kg CO 2 e/kg FPCM), with a notable farm-to-farm variability (63.3%). Having implemented the latest available guidelines outlined by the IPCC, our results are a valuable new addition to the existing body of knowledge in the measurement of dairy farm GHG emissions. We present this as a pilot study, demonstrating a simple method to perform bottom-up investigations of dairy GHG emissions and further formulate policy interventions and mitigation strategies at the farm level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: India is the largest milk producer globally, with the largest proportion of cattle milk production coming from smallholder farms with an average herd size of less than two milking cows. These cows are mainly undefined multi-generation crosses between exotic dairy breeds and indigenous Indian cattle, with no performance or pedigree recording. Therefore, implementing genetic improvement based on genetic evaluation has not yet been possible. We present the first results from a large smallholder performance recording program in India, using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes to estimate genetic parameters for monthly test-day (TD) milk records and to obtain and validate genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV). Results: The average TD milk yield under the high, medium, and low production environments were 9.64, 6.88, and 4.61 kg, respectively. In the high production environment, the usual profile of a lactation curve was evident, whereas it was less evident in low and medium production environments. There was a clear trend of an increasing milk yield with an increasing Holstein Friesian (HF) proportion in the high production environment, but no increase above intermediate grades in the medium and low production environments. Trends for Jersey were small but yield estimates had a higher standard error than HF. Heritability estimates for TD yield across the lactation ranged from 0.193 to 0.250, with an average of 0.230. The additive genetic correlations between TD yield at different times in lactation were high, ranging from 0.846 to 0.998. The accuracy of phenotypic validation of GEBV from the method that is believed to be the least biased was 0.420, which was very similar to the accuracy obtained from the average prediction error variance of the GEBV. Conclusions: The results indicate strong potential for genomic selection to improve milk production of smallholder crossbred cows in India. The performance of cows with different breed compositions can be determined in different Indian environments, which makes it possible to provide better advice to smallholder farmers on optimum breed composition for their environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though Punjab was among the first states to reap the rich benefits of operation flood, however the contribution of Punjab in country's total milk production has shown a decline in last 20 years from around 9.5% to 6.8%. India after the operation flood in 1960s has emerged, from the shortage of milk at the time of independence, as a top-ranking milk producing country in the world. Though the state has witnessed a constant increase in milk production but contribution of Punjab in country's total milk production has shown a decline in last 20 years from around 9.5% to 6.8%. In these districts, the milk yield per in milk animal for indigenous cattle is also marginal higher than the state average. [Extracted from the article]

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global public health issue. In India, access to medicines is poorly regulated and therefore antibiotics in dairy cattle are commonly used by farmers without consulting with veterinarians. This study was conducted to understand practices and knowledge related to antibiotic use and AMR among dairy farmers and veterinary professionals in selected urban and peri-urban areas of India. A total of 28 focus group discussions with farmers and 53 interviews with veterinary professionals were carried out. Mastitiswas identified as the main animal health challenge. Antibiotic consultation behavior of farmers depended on the availability of veterinarians. Except in Bangalore, farmers were found to often treat animals on their own. They were found unaware of the concept of AMR, but knew the importance of vaccination. Veterinarians included in the study had a good understanding of antibiotics, AMR, and zoonotic diseases. The knowledge level and practices observed in the study related to the use/abuse of antibiotics can potentially increase the risk of development of AMR and its transfer in the community. Our findings can help support AMR – mitigation efforts in the country, including the design of better policies on antibiotic use in dairy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brucellosis is one of the most common zoonotic diseases in the world. This study aimed at assessing farmers' knowledge about brucellosis as well as practices relevant to transmission of brucellosis and their associated determinants. Few farmers knew about brucellosis (3.4%, n = 18) and its zoonotic importance (0.8%, n = 4). Knowledge about brucellosis was higher for farmers with a larger herd size (p < 0.001) and fully using a stall-fed system (p < 0.001). Training on dairy cattle management (p < 0.001), training on animal disease (p < 0.01), consultation with veterinarians (p < 0.001) and farms being in urban areas (p < 0.01) were also significantly positively associated with knowledge about brucellosis. No significant association was observed between farmers' knowledge about brucellosis and state, family size, education, age or gender of the farmers. Farmers knowledge about brucellosis was significantly associated with certain practices that include use of disinfectant while cleaning farms (p < 0.05), animal movement (p < 0.01), introduction of new animals (p < 0.05) and raw milk consumption (p < 0.05). The study did not find any association between knowledge about brucellosis and method of disposal of aborted materials, personal hygiene and quarantine practices. More interaction with veterinarians and training on animal management may be an important tool for generating awareness among the farming community for reducing transmission of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]