IKON : The man who made India into a global MILK power
Verghese Kurien, known as the Father of the White Revolution in India, was a social entrepreneur whose Operation Flood became the world’s largest agricultural development program. His efforts transformed India from a milk-deficient nation into the world’s largest milk producer, surpassing the United States in 1998, with about 17 percent of global output by 2010–11. This initiative doubled the per capita availability of milk within 30 years, making dairy farming India’s largest self-sustaining industry.
Kurien was instrumental in the success of the Amul cooperative, now India’s largest food brand, where three-fourths of the consumer price goes directly to the producing dairy farmer. A key innovation at Amul was the development of milk powder from buffalo milk, which was abundant in India, rather than from cow milk, which was in short supply. In 1965, he founded the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to replicate Amul’s “Anand model” across the nation.
What is the Job all about?
Milk is a perishable product, requiring its procurement, processing, storage, transportation, and distribution to be handled hygienically and efficiently. This necessitates seamless coordination between livestock owners, chilling units, pasteurizing units, and distribution networks.
Dairy scientists play a critical role in this ecosystem. They conduct experiments to determine the effects of different feeds and environmental conditions on the quantity, quality, and nutritional value of milk. Their research also focuses on improving dairy breeds and the management of dairy cattle. Beyond milk, the dairy industry includes a wide range of products like cheese, curd, butter, milk powder, baby milk, chocolate, and ice cream. Continuous research is vital to innovate and develop new variations of these products, exemplified by Amul’s diverse product range.
Can I go for it?
Choosing a career in dairy technology depends on your interests and abilities. It is essential to be scientifically minded and attentive to detail. Those in managerial positions must possess strong leadership qualities and lead by example.
Is there a future in this field?
The potential for creative scientific minds in dairy technology is immense. For instance, Amul offers various milk products such as full cream milk, single-toned milk, double-toned milk, skimmed milk, and flavored milk. Their chocolate range includes varieties like milk, nuts, fruits, and dark chocolate, and they offer a multitude of ice cream flavors. The scope for innovation in milk variants and dairy products is tremendous.
Where to study?
In Goa:
Currently, there are no institutions in Goa offering courses specifically in dairy technology.
Outside Goa
Dairy technology was traditionally part of veterinary and animal husbandry courses, offered by agricultural universities as part of the B.V.Sc. program. Now, there are specialized courses like B.Sc. in Dairy Technology, B.Tech. in Dairy Technology, and M.Sc. in Dairy Technology. Several institutes offer diploma, graduate, and postgraduate courses in this field:
1. The National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal and Bangalore
2. The Seth MC College of Dairy Science, Anand
3. University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore
4. Dairy Science College, Hebbal, Bangalore
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)
Employment Avenues:
Employment opportunities are abundant in dairies, dairy cooperatives, government and private research departments, and corporate companies involved in milk and its by-products. There are now over 400 dairy plants in India. Additionally, there is a demand for dairy engineers, responsible for maintaining dairy equipment, and marketing personnel, who manage the marketing and sales of milk products.
Salaries:
Starting salaries in this field are around ₹15,000, with potential earnings ranging from ₹35,000 to ₹75,000 or more, depending on qualifications, experience, and performance.
Don’t settle for just a degree or diploma — enhance your CV by completing online learning programs with certification in areas relevant to your chosen career. This will significantly improve your employment prospects compared to holding only a basic qualification. Additionally, consider boosting your confidence by enrolling in public speaking courses, such as those offered by Toastmasters International.
For government job opportunities, please check: www.employment-newspaper.com
page updated: August 2024