Sunil Chhatrapal Kedar, Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, Sports & Youth Welfare, Maharashtra inaugurated the Koelnmesse India organised special edition of India International Dairy Expo (IIDE). IIDE is the leading trade fair on dairy & dairy technology, for dairy farming, processing, packaging, distribution and products.
While addressing a national seminar organised by Indian Dairy Association, Sunil Chhatrapal Kedar, Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, Sports & Youth Welfare of Maharashtra said “The significance of dairy sector to the Indian economy cannot be underestimated. It is a subtle indicator of a healthy economy. Looking at the perishability of dairy products, the dairy industry must always embrace change and constantly adapt itself to the changing technologies as well; because it’s only then that we’ll be able to achieve the desired result. I too come from the industry, and I know that we all were faced with a series of challenges during the last two years of pandemic including that of labour, another critical resource. Therefore, the industry needs to nurture its talent by facilitating their access to the right opportunities for development.”
With a total of 160 exhibitors from 12 countries, IIDE becomes a single window of information for the latest industry trends. It provides a platform for all stakeholders of the dairy chain – The milk producers, the milk processors, the milk marketing professionals, the service providers, dairy equipment manufacturers, the technocrats and the policy makers to create a better future and all-round growth for the dairy industry.
The minister exhorted the dairy industry in general and in Maharashtra particularly to adapt new ideas, latest technologies and march on the path of grand success. He also asked the industry to hire the best professionals and if needed take the guidance and help from the organisations like NDDB and IDA.
“Our production has even surpassed the estimated figures globally. But we must overcome the problem of adulteration. The fair rightly highlights the dairy management solutions that put the dairy industry’s challenges of adulteration to an end with the help of AI and machine-learning enabled devices that can help catch the milk adulteration at early phases.” further added the Minster.
Milind Dixit, Managing Director, Koelnmesse YA Tradefair Pvt. Ltd. said “Despite Covid-19 challenges, the dairy sector in India continues to be positive on the back of government support, increasing population and per capita consumption. India is self-sufficient in milk production and the world’s top milk producer as well as the consumer. Dairying in India is more about livelihoods to about 80 million rural households than simply a business. It provides a stable cash flow as compared to crop cultivation. Around 60-70 per cent of consumer rupee flows back to producers, which is the highest in the world. Milk is India’s single largest agricultural commodity in terms of value. However, there is an increasing need to view dairying as the nucleus of many allied activities and their positive impact on society”.
Other dignitaries present included milk producers, scientists, industry representatives included Meenesh Shah, Chairman, NDDB, Dr. G S Rajorhia, President, IDA, Arun Patil, Chairman, IDA (WZ), Ranjeetsingh Deshmukh, Chairman, Dudh Mahasangh, Vishwas Patil, Chairman, Gokul Dairy, Rajesh Lele, Secretary, IDA (West Zone) and Board of directors of Ajmer Dairy, Rajasthan, Board of Directors of Gokul Dairy among other.