In a significant boost for Punjab's dairy sector, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) in Ludhiana has secured a major funding project aimed at empowering dairy farmers. The university's Department of Livestock Production Management has been awarded a ₹24.8 lakh (approximately $45,000) grant from India's Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
Project Aims to Revolutionize Dairy Farming
The core objective of this initiative is to provide comprehensive training to dairy farmers in advanced entrepreneurship and scientific management skills. The funding will support hands-on programs that cover crucial aspects of modern dairy farming. These include scientific dairy farming practices, value addition to dairy products, and effective marketing strategies. The program is designed to benefit both new entrants and established farmers, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the sustainability and profitability of Punjab's vital dairy industry.
University Leadership Hails Initiative
Vice-Chancellor Dr. Jatinder Paul Singh Gill extended his congratulations to the department team. He emphasized the project's pivotal role in enhancing knowledge and fostering entrepreneurial skills among farmers. Dr. Gill highlighted that the MSME sector is instrumental in promoting economic stability through innovation and ensuring balanced regional growth.
Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Parkash Singh Brar, Director of Research at GADVASU, stated that the project aims to usher in a new era of entrepreneurship by leveraging advanced technologies for dairy production. Dr. R.S. Grewal, Director of Extension Education, described the MSME sector as a key platform for nurturing individual creativity and inventiveness, which this project directly supports.
A Step Towards Precision Dairy Farming
Dr. Swaran Singh Randhawa, Dean of the College of Veterinary Science, termed the effort as revolutionary for promoting precision dairy farming through the adoption of modern technologies. The head of the Department of Livestock Production Management, Dr. Yashpal Singh, provided further insight into the project's inclusive vision.
Dr. Singh highlighted that the MSME-supported initiative specifically aims to bolster women, youth, and marginalized entrepreneurs. This will be achieved through targeted training, financial aid, and incentives. The empowerment provided by this project will enable these entrepreneurs to develop customized dairy products suitable for both local and global markets, thereby opening new revenue streams.
This strategic intervention by the MSME ministry, in collaboration with GADVASU, is poised to create a more resilient, skilled, and technologically adept dairy farming community in Punjab. It marks a forward-looking step towards transforming traditional dairy practices into modern, profitable agri-business enterprises.
