Integrating production with processing and converting waste into wealth A success story in dairying from Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Dairy is an important source of additional income for farmers Milk processing will benefit through valueaddition. Mr. Narasimha Rao has proved dairying as a profitable and sustainable agri-venture with his Integrated Dairy Farm - a complete cycle, zero waste initiative model. The organized dairy sector in India (both cooperatives and private) is presently handling only 40 % of total milk production in the country. Thus, there is a wide scope for processing of milk and manufacture of milk products at farm gate. As the principal milk producers in the country are small dairy farmers, Farmers Producers' Company (FPC) could be the tool for successful aggregation of small farmers. Overall, it is worthwhile to replicate such an integrated prototype models demonstrating effective utilisation of available resources as well as converting wastes into wealth among interested farmers and/or new agripreneurs as a means of sustainable income.