NE AGRI & RURAL ECONOMY BUREAU
NEW DELHI, JULY 15
As climate change tightens its grip on agriculture, a critical question confronts India—the world’s largest milk producer: Can the nation’s dairy sector continue to nourish over a billion people without fundamentally reinventing the way it raises, feeds and protects its cattle?
According to Capt. (Dr.) A.Y. Rajendra, CEO – Animal Nutrition Business, Godrej Agrovet Limited, the answer lies in embracing climate-smart dairy farming, where scientific nutrition, resilient infrastructure, technology and collaborative policymaking work together to protect both livestock and livelihoods.
- As climate shocks intensify, experts call for a transformation from traditional dairy practices to science-driven, climate-resilient farming
- Low milk productivity, recurring heatwaves and erratic monsoons threaten millions of dairy farmers and the nation’s nutritional security
- Scientific nutrition, better cattle management, digital advisory services and resilient breeding emerge as the pillars of sustainable dairy growth
- Collective action by government, industry, researchers and farmers can future-proof India’s dairy economy against climate change
- Godrej Agrovet CEO Capt. (Dr.) A.Y. Rajendra outlines a roadmap to safeguard livelihoods, improve productivity and build a resilient dairy ecosystem
With El Niño conditions, prolonged heatwaves and an expected below-normal monsoon threatening the country’s dairy economy, Rajendra argues that climate resilience must become the cornerstone of India’s dairy development strategy.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has projected monsoon rainfall at around 90% of the Long Period Average (LPA), with a 60% probability of a deficient monsoon, raising concerns over fodder availability, water resources and milk production. Weak or delayed rainfall is also expected to prolong high summer temperatures, intensifying heat stress among dairy animals.
Although India remains the world’s largest milk producer, its productivity continues to lag behind global standards. The country’s average milk yield stands at 4.87 kg per cow per day, significantly below the global average of 7.18 kg, highlighting the urgent need for productivity-enhancing interventions.
Rajendra points out that climate change is widening this productivity gap. Research indicates that drought conditions can reduce milk yields by more than 25%, while international studies from El Niño-affected dairy regions show production losses ranging between 25% and 30%. Beyond lower milk output, climate shocks also alter farmers’ investment decisions, prompting many smallholders to postpone herd expansion and retain only their most productive animals.
Heat stress, he explains, affects dairy farming on multiple fronts by lowering milk production, suppressing immunity, reducing fertility and worsening animal health. Simultaneously, shortages of fodder and water compound the problem, making climate adaptation indispensable rather than optional.
One of the most effective interventions, Rajendra says, is scientifically balanced nutrition. Heat stress sharply reduces feed consumption, with lactating cows beginning to eat less when temperatures rise above 25-26°C. Feed intake declines significantly beyond 30°C and can fall by nearly 40% at 40°C, severely affecting milk production and reproductive performance.
Water availability is equally crucial, as producing every litre of milk requires approximately four to five litres of water. Reduced intake of both feed and water directly impacts productivity, health and breeding efficiency.
Scientifically formulated compound cattle feed offers a practical solution by supplying nutrient-dense nutrition that compensates for lower feed intake while generating less metabolic heat during digestion. Balanced feeding also enhances feed efficiency, offsets poor-quality fodder, improves fertility, strengthens immunity and helps animals better cope with climatic stress.
However, nutrition alone cannot solve the challenge.
Rajendra stresses that improved farm management practices—including shaded shelters, well-ventilated housing, uninterrupted access to clean drinking water, hygienic milking systems, timely vaccination and regular veterinary care—are equally essential for minimising disease and sustaining milk production. Investments in chilling infrastructure and hygienic milk storage can further improve milk quality while reducing post-harvest losses.
The author also underscores the importance of knowledge dissemination. Digital advisory platforms, demonstration farms and structured farmer training programmes can accelerate the adoption of climate-smart practices, while emerging technologies allow farmers to monitor cattle health and productivity in real time. Continued investments in breeding programmes, he adds, will help develop cattle that are both more productive and better adapted to rising temperatures.
“Building climate resilience requires collective action.”
Rajendra believes that industry has a vital role in supporting farmers through awareness campaigns, scientific feeding solutions and on-ground demonstrations, while government initiatives such as the Rashtriya Gokul Mission and Pashu Aushadhi are already strengthening breed improvement and veterinary healthcare.
He further advocates continued policy support, easier access to institutional credit and incentives that encourage the adoption of climate-resilient technologies and best practices.
“As climate uncertainty becomes the new normal, improving dairy productivity is about far more than increasing milk yields. It is about protecting farmer livelihoods, strengthening food security and building a dairy sector that can withstand future climate shocks. Building resilience today will ensure India’s dairy sector remains productive, sustainable and prepared for the challenges ahead,” Rajendra concludes.
The article serves as a timely reminder that India’s dairy future will depend not merely on producing more milk, but on creating a climate-resilient ecosystem capable of safeguarding millions of farmers, ensuring nutritional security and sustaining one of the country’s most important rural livelihoods for generations to come.
