Precision dairy farming: Opportunities and challenges for India

Abstract

Effective management of a dairy farm has to focus on individual animal apart from group or herd management since 'smallest production unit in the dairy is the individual animal’. In this context, precision dairy farming (PDF) aims to manage the basic production unit in order to exploit its maximal production capacity. PDF is the use of information and technology based farm management system to measure physiological, behavioural and production indicators of individual animals to improve management strategies, profitability and farm performance. PDF applications are finding their way on dairy farms, although there seem to be differences in the uptake of PDF applications between dairy systems. The authors have attempted to identify different PDF tools utilized across the globe and have highlighted the status of adoption in Indian scenario by highlighting about few farms/organizations involved in its utilization and uptake over the years. In this direction, the authors have also focused on several benefits and challenges faced by developing countries including India since the benefits are often not immediately apparent and they require more management expertise along with an investment of time and money to realize. In addition, the adoption rate depends on various factors like farmer education, farm size, perceptions of risk, ownership of a non-farm business etc. Addressing these issues is very essential for the uptake of technologies and hence, an effort has been made to propose strategies for adoption and operationalization of PDF in India and other developing countries where the similar scenario exists. The study also highlights that PDF in many developing countries including India is in its infancy, but there are tremendous opportunities for improvements in individual animal and herd management in dairy farms. The progressive farmers or the farmers’ groups, with guidance from the public and private sectors, and professional associations, can adopt it on a limited scale as the technology shows potential for raising yields and economic returns on fields with significant variability, and for minimizing environmental degradation. Additional research needs to be undertaken to examine the adoption process for not only successful adoption of technology, but also to solve the issues associated with the technology adoption. Further, right extension approaches and advisory services for the farmers interested in PDF needs to be undertaken for its effective application under different socio-economic and ecological conditions.

Examining the Linkages of Technology Adoption Enablers in Context of Dairy Farming Using ISM-MICMAC Approach

“…In addition, Eastwood et al [11] identified a moral dilemma in the ethics of such precision technology devices that could spark societal discussions about animal welfare. Apart from the factors that influence the adoption of RFID like education of farmers, knowledge, age, farm size, business complexity, ownership, risk perception etc., Rathod and Dixit [12] highlighted several challenges in the adoption of such precision technology, like the incapability to assess cost-effectiveness, chances of technical failures due to high degree of automation, dependence upon technically sound and skilled workforce to access, interpret and analyze the generated data. Overall awareness, affordability and socio-cultural beliefs have been found the most prominent challenges in the adoption of digital devices such as RFID-based cow collars in India, because, most of the livestock is scattered by low-holding farmers in remote village areas where, even for the basic necessity, the population has to travel long distances.…”

Information Communication Technology Tools for Animal Husbandry Technology Dissemination

“…These demand-led information deliveries facilitated disease prevention and improved animal health, resulting in time, labour, and financial savings for this marginalised population. Various information kiosks developed by veterinary organisations are Information Kiosk on Dairy Management, CVAS, Mannuthy; The Livestock Guru, Orissa; Dairy Information System Kiosk(DISK), Anand; Information Kiosk on Livestock Production Management-SVVU [38][39][40][41].…”