Indian Dairy Association | Indian Dairyman

New Executive Committee Elected for IDA (North Zone)

A new committee has been elected for the Indian Dairy Association (North Zone). Dr. Sushil Kumar has become the Chairman, IDA (NZ), unopposed.
Dr. B.M. Mahajan and Mr. M.P.S. Chadha are the Vice-Chairmen and Dr. Dharam Pal and Mr. K.L. Arora are Secretary and Treasurer, respectively.
The other committee members are: Mr. A.K. Khosla, Dr. Alok Jha, Mr. A.S. Garg, Dr. G.R. Patil, Dr. Himmat Singh, Mr. I.K. Narang, Mr. Kuldeep Saluja, Dr. M.P. Mathur, Dr. Ravindra Kumar, Dr. R.C. Awasthi, Mrs. Shabnam Chopra, Mr. S.K. Arora, Dr. S.K. Kanawjia, Mr. U.K. Chopra and Mr. V.P. Gandhi.
Amul Emerges as the Leading Asian Brand

According to a market research survey conducted by Asia’s leading research organization, Synovate, Hong Kong, Amul has emerged as No. 1 brand in India and also a leading brand in Asia. The survey, to find out Asia’s top 1000 Brands, was done in markets of nine countries — China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, The Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and India. The survey covered 12 major products and service categories. Synovate interviewed people aged between 15 and 64 years.

Amul, a brand owned by the 26 lakh milk producers of Gujarat has once again demonstrated that when farmers are given the instruments of development in their hands, they can work wonders. The billion dollar Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation, the apex body of 13 district milk producers’ unions has been instrumental in making Amul a brand to
reckon with.

Mr. B. M. Vyas, Managing Director, GCMMF said that co-operation amongst co-operatives to serve the interests of the milk producers and providing quality products to consumers, ensuring value for their money has been the backbone of Amul. “This brings a lot of passion and energy in the system, which has now been recognized and reported by the consumers through this survey,” he said.

According to Mr. R.S. Sodhi, Chief General Manager, GCMMF, Amul’s strategy of using ‘Umbrella branding’ has paid off. He said, “Our strength comes from consistency, trust and relevance of our products.” Mr. Sodhi further claimed that Amul’s advertising and marketing spend has never exceeded one per cent of its revenues.
Nestle Launches Milk-based Beverage in Kerala and Tamil Nadu

Food products manufacturer M/s Nestle India has entered the milk-based drinks segment with the launch of ‘Milkmaid Funshake’ in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. According to Mr. Mayank Trivedi, General Manager (Dairy Division), Nestle India, Milkmaid Funshakes mark Nestle’s entry into the dairy-based drinks segment. He said that this is another evidence of company’s strategic thrust on dairy products in India. After the two southern States, the company will soon launch the product in other parts of the country. Based on the milkshake concept, Funshake is made from toned milk and available in mango, banana and chocolate flavours.
IIL Launches Animal Feed Supplements

Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) has recently launched 'Calsagar', a technologically superior animal feed supplement in pellet form, containing calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D3. This would help improve milk production, as well as fat and SNF contents in milk.
The IIL has also launched a range of technological innovations in the area of dairy nutrition. The other brands are 'Garbahmin',another innovation containing essential trace of minerals in chelated form and coated vitamins for superior reproductive performance and 'Goumix', the first customised mineral supplement in the country for livestock based on regional mineral mapping carried out by the NDDB.

According to the company, the cost of feeding contributes nearly 60 per cent of the cost of milk production and therefore they are contemplating to provide technologically superior health care products and feed supplements to the dairy farmers at affordable price. The biggest challenge that dairy farmers in India face is the availability and affordability of quality fodder and feeds. Most feed ingredients locally available are deficient in one or more nutrients, which results in loss of milk production debility, impaired growth and poor reproduction.
Andhra Pradesh Govt. to Enhance Milk Production in State

The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy has approved a plan to distribute 1.32 lakh milch animals to farmers. The decision was taken during a review meeting with the Hon’ble State Minister for Animal Husbandry, Mr. Mandali Buddha Prasad, to increase milk production by at least 20 lakh litres to 43 lakh litres by next year. Earlier, the officials had suggested that the milch animals are to be given to only those farmers who are into farming with agriculture land. However, the minister wants to revise the plan to ensure that even those landless, too, get the milch animals to boost their income.
Bovine population has already multiplied with agriculture productivity and production increase in the State. The government is now contemplating to promote it by distribution of high breed milch animals to the farmers as well as to distribute high breed variety of seeds to raise grass to feed the animals.

The ministry is also gearing up the Andhra Pradesh Dairy Development Co-operative Federation to procure more milk from producers. More procurement centres and chilling centres will also be established soon..
Bihar Seeks NDDB Aid for Dairy Development

The Bihar Government has urged the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to help accelerate the State government in its dairy development efforts. In this context, the Hon’ble Chief Minister Mr. Nitish Kumar recently had discussions with Dr. (Miss) Amrita Patel, Chairman, NDDB, in Patna. He solicited that NDDB should play a proactive role in strengthening dairying and making it a more meaningful and sustainable occupation for millions of milk producers in the State.

Dr. (Miss) Patel said that the NDDB would provide assistance, including technical and managerial support, to existing dairy cooperatives in Bihar so as to enable them to better serve their members and by promoting a plurality of new producer institutions that remain true to cooperative values.

The NDDB would assist Bihar in preparing a roadmap for investing close to Rs. 700 crore to enhance milk animal productivity and increase cooperative milk procurement, processing and marketing from the current level of 6 lakh kg to 40 lakh kg per day by 2021-22. The NDDB will also assist Bihar State Cooperative Milk Producers Federation and milk unions in Bihar to improve efficiency in operations so as to be able to cope with competition from private players. The NDDB also agreed to recommend changes in the State Cooperative Acts so as to enable cooperatives enjoy the required business autonomy and have a level playing field with the competing private firms.
Amul Launches Chocolate Flavoured Milk

Amul has recently launched 'Amul Kool Koko', which is a chocolate flavoured milk. The new flavour is made from pure milk, with the addition of cocoa solids. The target market of the product is the teenagers and youngsters.

The beverage would be available at the rate of Rs.15 for 200ml in a bottle or a tetra pack. A 250 ml can would be priced at Rs. 20, and a one-litre tetra pack for Rs. 50.

According to the company, with this launch, the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd., has now become a leading player in the Indian dairy beverages market with 90 per cent share in branded packaged dairy drinks segment.

Earlier, Amul had launched milk-based beverages, which include flavoured milk ‘Amul Kool’, ‘Masti Butter Milk’ – a low-calorie drink, ready-to-drink coffee ‘Kool Café’, as well as India's first sports drink, ‘Stamina’..
Himachal Pradesh Introduces Steps to Increase Milk Yield

The government of Himachal Pradesh has taken steps to increase and boost production from livestock resources that form the backbone of the State’s pastoral economy. Special integrated development projects are introduced to improve the breed of milch cattle and ensure better health management and marketing infrastructure to help increase returns to farmers.

Dairy farming being the main contributor, the government has launched a number of schemes to increase milk production. The local breeds of milch cattle are being replaced with high-yielding crossbred varieties. Artificial insemination facilities have been made available through 1,700 centres. Last year, 4.55 lakh cows and 85,000 buffaloes were inseminated. The State has 50.46 lakh cattle, including 9.06 lakh sheep, 11.15 lakh goats and 7.73 lakh buffaloes. A livestock insurance scheme was introduced in Mandi and Kangra districts to safeguard the economic interests of livestock owners.