New Delhi, March 27, 2025 – In a landmark initiative poised to redefine dairy safety standards in India, Agrinnovate India Limited, a Government of India enterprise, has successfully facilitated the transfer of nine cutting-edge milk adulteration detection technologies to Everest Instruments Pvt. Ltd., a leading name in dairy instrumentation and automation.
Developed by the National Dairy Research Institute (ICAR-NDRI) under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), these technologies are designed to tackle a long-standing challenge in India’s dairy sector: the detection of milk adulterants in real-time, with speed, affordability, and precision.
A Leap Forward for India’s Dairy Sector
At the core of this technology transfer are paper strip-based rapid tests, which can identify a range of common adulterants and contaminants—neutralizers, urea, hydrogen peroxide, glucose, sucrose, maltodextrin, salt, sorbitol, and even mastitis, a bacterial infection that affects dairy animals and compromises milk quality. The tests deliver results in as little as a few seconds to a maximum of 10 minutes, making them ideal for deployment at milk collection centers, processing facilities, and field-level testing points, especially in rural areas where laboratory infrastructure is limited.
Dr. Dheer Singh, Director of ICAR-NDRI, described the transfer as “a milestone in ensuring milk purity and safety,” highlighting its potential to rebuild consumer trust in the dairy supply chain while addressing a key public health concern. Dr. Rajan Sharma, Director (Research) at NDRI, emphasized that the simplicity and portability of the tests make them particularly impactful in resource-constrained environments, where adulteration detection has historically been a challenge.
Private Sector Meets Public Innovation
The recipient of these technologies, Everest Instruments Pvt. Ltd., has long been a frontrunner in India’s dairy technology ecosystem, serving major cooperatives and private dairies with advanced milk analyzers, chilling equipment, and automated systems. With this strategic addition to its portfolio, the company is now poised to become a leader in dairy quality diagnostics as well.
Mr. Ajit Patel, Director at Everest Instruments, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership:
“These technologies will significantly enhance our ability to ensure clean, safe milk reaches consumers. This is not just an expansion of our product offering—it’s a meaningful step toward improving public health and dairy transparency in India.”
Everest plans to commercialize and distribute the kits at scale, ensuring accessibility across India’s vast and varied dairy networks—from smallholder farms to high-capacity urban plants.
Agrinnovate: Driving Research to Market
The transfer was orchestrated by Agrinnovate India Limited, ICAR’s commercial arm, whose mission is to translate scientific innovation into tangible solutions that benefit both industry and consumers.
Dr. Praveen Malik, CEO of Agrinnovate India, captured the essence of this initiative:
“We are witnessing the power of Indian research coming to life. These technologies are set to revolutionize the dairy sector by giving every stakeholder—from farmer to processor—the tools to guarantee milk quality. This is how innovation reaches the last mile.”
Addressing a Systemic Challenge
Milk adulteration in India remains a persistent issue, especially during peak demand periods such as festivals. The practice not only poses health risks but also erodes public confidence and threatens India’s standing in global dairy trade. According to experts, introducing affordable, scalable, and quick diagnostic solutions can play a pivotal role in curbing malpractice and strengthening regulatory enforcement.
Moreover, the inclusion of mastitis detection in these tests adds an animal welfare and productivity dimension, enabling early intervention and improving herd health management across dairy farms.
Impact and Future Outlook
- 🧪 9 rapid, patented milk adulteration detection tests
- ⏱️ Results in 10 minutes or less
- 🧑🌾 Designed for use in rural and urban dairy collection centers
- 📈 Commercial rollout planned by Everest Instruments
- 🛡️ Potential to impact over 80 million dairy farmers and 200 million consumers
This transfer also reflects India’s broader strategy of leveraging public-private partnerships to scale agricultural innovation. With ICAR’s deep research capabilities, Agrinnovate’s commercialization expertise, and Everest’s market reach, the collaboration sets a new benchmark for dairy tech transformation in India.
Public Engagement and Industry Reception
The announcement has already created significant buzz across social media. Agrinnovate India’s post on X (formerly Twitter) garnered strong engagement from policymakers, food safety advocates, and tech innovators. Tagged with #DairyTech, #AgriInnovation, and #FoodSafety, the development has sparked renewed conversations around farm-to-consumer traceability, supply chain modernization, and empowering smallholders through science.
Conclusion: A Cleaner, Safer Future—One Strip at a Time
As India modernizes its agricultural and dairy systems, the introduction of portable, affordable adulteration detection kits marks a pivotal moment in aligning food safety with innovation. With over 1.5 billion liters of milk produced daily in the country, ensuring that each drop meets quality standards is no small feat—but with tools like these, it is increasingly within reach.
This initiative exemplifies how science, industry, and governance can collaborate to safeguard public health, enhance transparency, and position India as a global leader in dairy innovation.