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Indian dairy sector is transforming with tech-innovations
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Wednesday, 28 July, 2021, 12 : 00 PM [IST]
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Neerja Mittal
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Since the days when each home or family had a cow from which fresh milk could be obtained, milk consumption has been a cultural practice in Indian homes. However, with new age technological advancement, our milk consumption patterns have undergone a paradigm shift.
A2 milk has been suggested as a healthier option, especially for lactose intolerant people. Knowing that milk can help us avoid a number of illnesses, it's critical to understand how it's handled. Milk has a short shelf life and requires careful handling since it is a good medium for the growth of germs – primarily bacterial pathogens – that can ruin the product and cause diseases in consumers.
The global pandemic has made us all realise that the way the products are processed and packaged is important. Milk is now processed without any human involvement, allowing it to be stored for days or weeks and reducing the danger of bacterial growth.
The dairy sector has seen major advancements, particularly in the area of A2 milk products, where newer technology has played a key role. Most dairy farms, for example, have installed an Automatic Milking Machine, which is a robotic system that completes the entire milking process automatically. The only human intervention necessary is to monitor the process, which can be done remotely.
Clusters that provide hand massage-like stimulation are included in the devices for milking. The milking action is similar to hand milking or calf suckling, making the whole process comfortable for the cows. This device is attached to the cow and can detect the flow of milk allowing it to gauge if she is scheduled for milking or not. If not, the gates open and the cow is released. Shower tunnels are also used in certain dairy farms to keep the cows clean and fresh while they are being milked.
With more technical improvements in the dairy industry, farms can now ensure that cows receive the right amount of nourishment and eat a balanced diet. Users can feed and load food grains according to nutritionists' criteria and ratios using Total Mix Ration Machines, which are similar to cow feeding systems. In order to reduce labour and manpower to avoid much human contact, dairy owners are also investing in technology, such as automatic water troughs that deliver drinking water to cows.
The system includes automatic level sensors, which ensure that when the water level falls below a specific level, the water is promptly supplied, keeping the cows properly hydrated and providing them with a steady supply of freshwater to drink.
In addition, the dairy industry has developed technology to improve cow comfort, such as soft bedding for resting cows and massage brushes in sheds where cows can just stand and be massaged. Sprinklers and cooling fans are also placed in the event of climate change.
Using a variety of programmes and software that are linked to hardware, one can acquire real-time data about their cows. These programmes may track and control individual cows' stress and comfort levels, as well as their behaviour, location, health, hygiene, and productivity.
Indian dairy sector has been transforming with tech-innovations, which has resulted in relying on technology to reduce manufacturing costs, enhance sanitation, and improve product quality as a result of widespread globalisation and technical breakthroughs.
(The author is director at Mr Milk)
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