IKON : The man who made India into a global MILK power
Verghese Kurien is known as the Father of the White Revolution in India was a social entrepreneur whose Operation Flood, the world’s largest agricultural development program, made India the world’s largest milk producer, surpassing the United States of America in 1998, with about 17 percent of global output in 2010–11, from a milk-deficient nation, which doubled milk available per person within 30 years and which made dairy farming India’s largest self-sustaining industry.
He was responsible for the creation and success of the Amul cooperative, today India’s largest food brand, where three-fourths of the price paid by the consumer goes into the hand of the producing dairy farmer, the cooperative’s owner. A key invention at Amul was the production of milk powder from buffalo-milk, plentiful there, instead of from cow-milk, short in supply in India though abundant in the then major milk producing nations, he founded The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in 1965, to replicate Amul’s “Anand model” nationwide.
What is the Job all about?
As Milk is a perishable product, its procurement, processing, storage, transportation and distribution have to be done hygienically and quickly. Therefore, it is critical that there is good co-ordination between livestock owners, chilling units, pasteurizing units and distribution networks.
Dairy Scientists conduct experiments to determine the effects of different kinds of feeds and environmental conditions on the quantity, quality and nutritive value of milk produced. They also do research on breeding, to improve dairy breeds, feeding and management of dairy cattle.
Besides Milk, we also have bye products like Cheese, Curd, Butter, Milk Powder, Baby Milk, Chocolate, Ice Cream, etc. There is a continuous Research going on to improve or come out with a variants in Cheese Products, Curd, Chocolates, etc.
Can I go for it?
Check precisely in which field of Dairy Technology you wish to enter and then, based on your Interests and abilities, you could study in the field most compatible to your liking. You must be scientifically minded and pay attention to detail. Those in Managerial positions as Dairy Technologists must have strong leadership qualities and lead by example.
Is there a future in this field?
There is a tremendous potential for creative scientific minds. Take for example, just Ice creams and chocolates. The potential in just these two areas is incredible.
Where to study?
Traditionally dairy technology was a part of veterinary and animal husbandry courses. These courses were and still are offered by Agricultural Universities as a part of the B.V.Sc. Now we have courses in B.Sc. Dairy Technology, B.Tech.in Dairy Technology, M.Sc. Dairy Technology, M.Sc. Dairy Technology and Agricultural Extension.
There are several institutes offering exclusive diploma, graduate and postgraduate courses in Dairy Technology:
The National Dairy Research Institute, (Karnal and Bangalore) and
The Seth MC College of Dairy Science, (Anand).
University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore.
Dairy Science College, Hebbal, Bangalore. B.Sc. Dairy Science.
Doctorate / Ph.D Programme
The Institute offers Ph.D. programmes in twelve disciplines. The programme consists of course work for two semesters followed by research work for the thesis. The course work is offered at Karnal campus whereas the scholars can be allotted to different laboratories / guides located at ERS Kalyani and SRS, Bengaluru for the thesis work. All Ph.D. scholars are supported by the Institute through award of Institute Fellowship.
List of Disciplines
1. Dairy Microbiology
2. Dairy Chemistry
3. Dairy Technology
4. Dairy Engineering
5. Animal Biochemistry
6. Animal Biotechnology
7. Animal Genetics & Breeding
8. Livestock Production & Management
9. Animal Nutrition
10. Animal Physiology
11. Agricultural Economics / Livestock Economics / Dairy Economics
12. Dairy Extension Education
13. Agronomy (Forage Production)
Masters Programme
The institute offers Master in dairying for graduates in pure sciences and for graduates with professional degrees.
Master’s programme in following 12 disciplines is offered at Karnal.
1. Dairy Microbiology
2. Dairy Chemistry
3. Dairy Technology
4. Dairy Engineering
5. Animal Biochemistry
6. Animal Biotechnology
7. Animal Genetics & Breeding
8. Livestock Production & Management
9. Animal Nutrition 10. Animal Physiology
11. Agricultural Economics/ Livestock Economics/ Dairy Economics
12. Dairy Extension Education
13. Agronomy (Forage Production)
B-Tech (Dairy Technology)
This four year degree (8 semester) programme offers intensive training in processing and quality control of milk and dairy products and engineering aspects of dairy processing equipment
Employment Avenues
Employment opportunities exist in dairies, dairy cooperatives, government and private research departments, and corporate Companies involved in milk or its by-products, in teaching etc. There are now over 400 Dairy Plants in India.
Other professionals required in this area include Dairy Engineers, who are responsible for dairy equipment maintenance and related activities; and Marketing Personnel, who handle the marketing and sales of milk and milk products.
Monies
Around Rs. 15,000/- for starters then anything from Rs. 35,000/- to Rs 75,000/-. Further based on performance.
Please do not be satisfied with just acquiring a Degree/Diploma – try and enhance your CV by doing online learning programs (with a certificate) of programs relevant to your choice of career. Your chances of employment will be much better than just a plain degree/diploma.
Please check this website under other details for places you can learn online. Also try and develop your confidence by doing a public speaking training program with people like Toast Masters International.
For government jobs: please check : http://www.employment-newspaper.com/