9/2002: Opening of new processing plant aims to increase farmers incomes

 MEDIA RELEASE

Opening of new processing plant aims to increase farmers incomes

The opening of a feed supplement plant in Gujarat, by Australia's High Commissioner to India, Ms Penny Wensley AO is the culmination of a project likely to bring significant financial benefits to Indian farmers.

The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) funded a project to increase the efficiency and productivity of ruminants in India and Australia by the use of protected nutrient technology.  The joint research project involving scientists from Australia’s commonwealth scientific and industrial research organisation (CSIRO) and the Indian national dairy development board (NDDB) has the potential to raise India’s milk yield by millions of litres a day through improved cattle nutrition and increased milk supply.

Research conducted during the project found that milk yields rose substantially when cows were fed a kilogram of protein meal supplement each day.  The resulting supplement provides cattle with a protein source that adds value to the nutritional quality of the diet, allowing increased milk production.

Milk yield went up about one litre per cow/buffalo per day, providing producers with additional income of around rupees 9 a day, per animal. 

The increased milk production results in more disposable income for farmers. This could have important economic and social implications for India’s 11 million village dairy farmers.

The plant at Itola, near Vadodara in Gujarat province processes protein meal, produced as a by-product from oil extracted from sunflower, rapeseed and other oilseed crops.

NDDB will conduct feeding trials using the feed supplements produced at the Itola plant to determine whether installing similar plants in some of its national network of 45 feed mills would be commercially viable.

High Commissioner Wensley described the project as a model of cooperation between Australia and India.  “The new feed supplement plant is a reflection of the high standards of agricultural research being carried out that yield excellent results for farmers,” high commissioner wensley said.

The opening of the plant is the culmination of a project to bring significant financial benefits to Indian farmers through improved cattle nutrition and increased milk supply.

This project builds on four previous projects that ACIAR has funded with NDDB to a total of approximately aud 3 million since 1983.  The projects have covered animal health including improved feed for increased milk production and improved health. ACIAR has a strong program with Indian research institutes.  33 projects have been completed in the twenty years since ACIAR began working in India.