Ludhiana | April 2025 — In a decisive push toward data-driven dairy development, the Punjab government is rolling out a ₹5.31 crore initiative to scientifically benchmark the milk production potential of Holstein Friesian (HF) cows—an ambitious move that could reshape herd management practices across the state.
Announcing the project, Punjab’s Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries, Gurmeet Singh Khudian, said the effort aims to empower farmers with actionable insights into the genetic merit and productivity profiles of their HF cows. Scheduled to begin in December 2024, the project will record real-time milk output from over 13,000 cows across 90 villages in the districts of Ludhiana, Moga, and Fatehgarh Sahib.
Smart Recording, Local Execution
At the heart of the programme is a technology-enabled milk recording system that integrates GPS-enabled smart weighing scales with the National Dairy Database. Farmers will continue milking their cows at home as usual, while specially trained local milk recorders will measure yields two to three times daily over a 10-month period. Data will be uploaded in real time, creating a centralised, transparent record of milk performance at the individual animal level.
“The ability to identify high-yielding animals and track lactation trends over time is a game changer,” said Khudian. “It allows farmers to make informed decisions on breeding, feeding, and culling—moving away from guesswork to precision dairy management.”
Genetics, Germplasm, and Growth
While Holstein Friesians are prized for their global productivity, on-ground performance in India often varies due to environmental, nutritional, and management factors. This project seeks to quantify that variation, enabling the state to identify elite genetic stock and promote evidence-based breeding.
Importantly, the project is not just about cows. In a significant policy alignment, the state government will facilitate the purchase of male HF calves born to participating cows, reducing the economic burden on farmers while curbing the rising challenge of stray cattle. This move is expected to add residual value to the livestock economy, while supporting better calf-rearing outcomes.
Youth Employment and Sectoral Uplift
The initiative also carries a strong rural development angle. Unemployed but educated youth from participating villages will be recruited and trained as milk recorders, offering them a sustainable income source and meaningful entry into the formal animal husbandry ecosystem.
“This is more than a productivity exercise—it’s an ecosystem intervention,” said Khudian. “We’re investing not only in data, but in people, practices, and prosperity.”
Building the Case for Smart Dairy
As India’s dairy sector continues its digital transformation, Punjab’s HF milk yield project sets a strong precedent for precision livestock farming at scale. By combining grassroots outreach with modern technology and national-level integration, the initiative aligns with India’s broader ambitions for value-driven, quality-focused dairy growth.
For farmers, it’s a pathway to profitability. For the state, it’s a model for modernisation. And for the country, it’s a blueprint worth watching.