Tamil Nadu is poised to become a national model in climate-smart, sustainable dairy development, according to Milk and Dairy Development Minister T. Mano Thangaraj. Speaking at the valedictory session of the Climate Smart Dairy Entrepreneurship Programme in Chennai, Thangaraj stated that the state has the infrastructure, talent, and ambition to drive India's next dairy revolution.
“Tamil Nadu is well-positioned to lead India’s next dairy revolution — one that is green, inclusive, and farmer-first,” the Minister said.
🚀 Empowering Dairy Entrepreneurs Through Climate-Smart Training
Launched in December 2024 by Kumaraguru Institutions, the Climate Smart Dairy Entrepreneurship Programme trained 112 young dairy entrepreneurs in sustainable livestock management, feed efficiency, animal health, and market linkages. These trained entrepreneurs are now mentoring over 10,000 smallholder dairy farmers across the state of Tamil Nadu.
The programme aims to improve milk productivity, reduce production costs, and foster climate resilience in India's dairy value chain.
🧭 The Dairy Yatra: A 6,000 km Journey of Learning
As part of the training, participants embarked on a 6,000-km 'Dairy Yatra', traversing Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. The expedition exposed participants to a broad spectrum of dairy ecosystems, ranging from cooperative models to traditional low-cost systems, encouraging cross-learning and innovation.
The initiative is being hailed as the first of its kind in India to combine field exposure, entrepreneurship, and sustainability in a single dairy training programme.
🐄 State Vision: Sustainability, Inclusion, and Innovation
Minister Thangaraj highlighted Tamil Nadu's commitment to:
- Empowering women dairy farmer cooperatives and SHGs
- Promoting value-added dairy products (VAPs) such as paneer, cheese, and probiotic drinks
- Investing in breed improvement, fodder security, and climate-smart dairy technologies
- Creating scalable models of sustainable dairy farming that can be replicated across India
The Minister added that Tamil Nadu will serve as an incubation hub for youth-led agri-dairy enterprises, integrating technology, training, and generating rural employment.
📈 Tamil Nadu's Growing Role in the Indian Dairy Landscape
Tamil Nadu ranks among India's top milk-producing states, with a well-cooperative cooperative system led by AaviCooperativeu Co-operative Milk Producers' Federation. The state contributes significantly to India's 239 million metric tons (MMT) annual milk production and is now focusing on improving milk yield per animal, farmer income, and environmental sustainability.
India remains the world's largest milk producer, and Tamil Nadu's leadership could be pivotal in reshaping the dairy narrative to be climate-smart and innovation-driven.
