Dairy Development - End Poverty

Why focus on Dairy Development?

India is the world’s largest milk producer, contributing twenty-four per cent of global milk production. This crucial sector also plays a major role in sustaining approximately one-third of rural incomes. However, the majority of Dairy Farmers are small and marginal, with the average animal holding of 1-2 cattle per farmer. These farmers suffer due to rising input costs, low animal productivity, competitive landscape and complex value chains marked by intermediary conflicts. In response to these challenges, we have strategically taken the Dairy Development Program with the purpose of improving animal productivity, creating an effective value chain and providing access to an organized market. Our overarching goal is to promote the development of dairy farmers, ultimately resulting in their improved income while ensuring the overall viability of the dairy sector.

States Reached

450+

Villages Reached

If Dairy Development seems close to your heart there are different ways you can contribute and support us in our projects!

Join & Support

Our Projects On Dairy Development

2018 - Present
Shwetdhara - Supported by IDFC First
In 2018, with the support of IDFC First Bank, we initiated Mission Shwetdhara, a project dedicated to improving the lives of small and marginal dairy farmers through animal productivity enhancement in the villages of Jaipur and Sikar, Rajasthan. Mission Shwetdhara works on three pivotal pillars of animal productivity enhancement. Animal Breed Improvement: Through Artificial Insemination, we provide high-quality genetics and promote the adoption of the best breed animals. Animal Health: We facilitate access to veterinary services, preventive healthcare measures, and vaccination programs at the farmers' doorstep to keep the livestock healthy and productive. Animal Nutrition: Through quality input services at the farmer's doorstep, we promote area-specific balanced nutritious fodder and varied other supplements, such as mineral mixture and liquid calcium, to enhance the cattle's vitality.Central to this innovative program is the empowerment of rural women, known as Gram Sakhis, who are trained and mentored to become knowledgeable dairy resource persons within their communities.Shwetdhara not only boosts economic prospects but also fosters holistic dairy development, uplifting entire village economies by providing essential input services directly to villages. This association between IDFC FIRST Bank and End Poverty underscores their commitment to creating sustainable and impactful change for dairy farmers, exemplifying a comprehensive approach to rural upliftment and economic empowerment.All the elements of the mission are designed to work towards the overarching goal of enhancing farmers' incomes and catalyzing sustainable development.Over the past six years, we extended our impact by reaching around 10,339 beneficiaries across 280 villages from the Jaipur and Sikar districts of Rajasthan. We've achieved significant improvements across key areas:• Reduced intercarving period from 5-6 months to 2-3 months, boosting breeding program efficiency. • Increased the number of calving in the lifespan from 6-7 to 8-9, enhancing herd size and farmer income. • Maintained a 20%-25% immunity rate during disease outbreaks, ensuring livestock survival. • Enhanced milk production, with each animal now yielding an average of 25%-30% more.These achievements reflect the progress and adaptability of our mission, paving the way for farmers' sustainable and prosperous future.
2021- Present
Dairy Development Initiatives - Supported by HDFC BANK
DAIRY DEVELOPMENT SUPPORTED BY HDFC BANKDairy Development initiatives supported by HDFC Bank are being implemented in about 50 villages in three states, namely Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Bulandshahr. Under the program, 2,175 farmers have been covered through animal husbandry services. More than 8000 animals were provided with high-quality inputs like cattle feed and, mineral mixtures, artificial insemination, and 7531 animals have received vaccinations and diagnoses with the purpose of enhancing animal productivity. Additionally, 535 Azola ponds were established to augment nutritious feed, and Napier grass cultivation was promoted in specific areas.To help the farmers increase their income by ensuring competitive pricing and collectively marketing their produce, we established three Farmer Producer Organizations, each tailored to its specific operational area. Guna Vikas Mahila Farmer Producer company (Guna), Sahal Farmer Producer Company (Bulandshahar) and Nitya Jyoti Rewari Mahila Kisan Utpadak Producer Company Limited (Rewari). The farmers' milk is being collected based on the milk quality measured with the latest milk testing systems. To further increase the shelf life of the milk, we have established 5 (7) BMCs with a total chilling capacity of 10,000 litres per day. During the year, more than 500 farmers were mobilized for milk procurement who poured over 2 lakh litre of milk during the year. Total sales achieved by these FPOs amounted to Rs 2 crore, of which 80% goes to producer members.
2020-2021
Capacity building of Dairy Farmers - Supported by HCL Foundation
Operating in 30 villages in Kachhauna block and 50 villages in Bahender block, Hardoi, with the support of the HCL Foundation, we implemented the 'Dairy Farmers Training Programme.' The programme was designed to address the issues faced by dairy farmers, including the lack of awareness regarding good dairy practices, animal nutrition, and health, unavailability of quality inputs and medical services, lack of quality AI services, and lack of proper market linkage. The program aimed to bring about behavioral change and capacity building among dairy farmers.To address all these issues, we identified awareness and capacity level gaps amongst the dairy producers, and based on the same, the training modules were developed on improved animal management practices, clean milk production, preventive health, and breed improvement. The programme surpassed its aim of training 4,000 farmers, reaching out to approximately 5781 farmers during its duration. Bringing about a positive change, the programme encouraged 72% of farmers to use good quality feed, 84% of farmers started getting their animals vaccinated, 72% of farmers learned different types of breading, 70% of farmers become aware of heat cycles, 61% of farmers adopted artificial insemination, and 75% farmers became mindful of the importance of individual and well as livestock hygiene for optimal dairy practices, resulting in increased farm productivity and the adoption of good practices.Recognizing our efforts, we were honored with the 'Best Partner - Partnering for Change' award by HCL. Amongst 400 participants from 200+ NGOs representing 20 states, this accolade underscores our unwavering dedication to fostering sustainable development.
2022 - Present
Dairy Farmers Capacity Building - Supported by DOW Chemicals
We initiated a transformative Dairy Farmers Capacity Building Project in the Sabarkantha district of Gujarat. This project's primary objective is to positively impact 500 Dairy Farmers in the region. The training covers crucial aspects such as Animal Breed Improvement, Nutrition and Health Management, Farm Management, and Clean Milk Production. The project is strategically designed to provide these dairy farmers with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve dairy farming practices, increase productivity, and ensure the good health of their livestock.The project strategizes to select the volunteers who will be trained and further enrolled to provide hands-on training in areas such as animal hygiene, personal hygiene, animal breed improvement, nutrition, and health to the farmers. Hence, the innovative approach aims to create a snowball effect, with trained volunteers then further imparting their knowledge to other farmers. This project is set to unfold over the course of one year, ensuring a sustained and impactful impact on the lives of the dairy farmers in Sabarkantha.