Overview

Over the last thirty-five years, dairy farming has grown from a largely unorganized-if complex-activity, into a vast organized industry. The demand for milk has, in recent years, grown substantially, not only in cities but in small towns and rural areas as well, proportionately increasing the demand for trained personnel in this field. Today, a hundred and eighty-eight
dairies spread across the country provide us with over a hundred and forty-three lakh litres of milk
per day. 

The industry currently employs about 50,000 professionals; the number of men among them is at present far greater than that of women. However, this does not mean that women do not have the aptitude for such work. In fact, the trend has been changing lately, with greater number of women beginning to enter the profession, particularly in milk product organizations.

MAIN AREAS OF WORK

There are two main areas of activity in the dairy industry:

LIQUID MILK PRODUCTION

Covers milk collection processing and distribution, and is carried out almost entirely in the public sector, through cooperatives.

MANUFACTURE OF MILK PRODUCTS 

Like butter, cheese, ghee, malted foods and ice cream, where value addition ensures profitability. This is largely undertaken by private companies.