India tackles milk quality challenges at 8th International Dairy & Feed Expo

INDIA – India’s dairy industry is addressing milk quality challenges through collaborative efforts showcased at the 8th International Dairy & Feed Expo, organized by Benison Media. 

Held at Pune’s Auto Cluster Exhibition Centre, the event brought together about 100 companies and stakeholders from the dairy, poultry, fisheries, and animal feed sectors. 

A prominent focus of the expo was on improving animal feed quality to enhance milk quality, a crucial factor in meeting rising consumer expectations and safety standards.

Prasad Wagh, Managing Director of Japfa Comfeed, underscored the connection between quality feed and milk production during the inauguration. 

He emphasized that high-quality animal feed is foundational to achieving good milk quality. 

This sentiment was echoed by other industry leaders, including Dr. Milind Meshram, Associate Dean at Krantisinh Nana Patil Veterinary College, who highlighted the need for nutritionally balanced feed for livestock to support animal health, a key component for ensuring a safe milk supply. 

Dr. Meshram advocated for collaboration among academia, industry experts, and farmers to develop solutions for nutritional deficiencies in the current feed system.

Industry experts also pointed to structural challenges in the supply chain, such as the shortage of raw materials like soy, which affects feed quality. 

Divyakumar Gulati, Chairman of the Compound Livestock Manufacturing Association (CLFMA), suggested exploring the use of genetically modified (GM) crops as a potential solution to raw material shortages, a proposal that could contribute to more sustainable and consistent feed production. 

However, this proposition would require careful regulatory consideration due to the ongoing debate over GM crops in India.

Prakash Kutwal, Secretary of the Milk Producers and Processors Welfare, stressed the need for actionable solutions to address milk adulteration rather than only discussing the issue. 

He highlighted the role of innovation in business as essential for industry advancement, a view that aligns with India’s increasing emphasis on food safety and quality control across agricultural sectors.

The expo also provided a platform for industry leaders to discuss related sectors like poultry, with insights shared by Vasantkumar Shetty of the Poultry Farmers and Breeders Association and Arun Dongale of Gokul Milk. 

Dongale remarked on Gokul Milk’s commitment to empowering dairy farmers, underscoring the interconnected nature of animal husbandry and milk production.

India’s dairy sector, the largest globally, continues to experience both growth and challenges. 

With a milk production capacity that reached over 200 million tons in 2021, India is the world’s leading milk producer. 

However, issues such as adulteration and inconsistent milk quality persist. 

By focusing on feed quality and promoting collaboration among industry players, events like the 8th International Dairy & Feed Expo aim to foster innovation and sustainability, which could support India’s dairy industry as it seeks to enhance milk quality and ensure safe, high-standard dairy products for consumers​

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