Chennai, June 2025: India proudly holds the distinction of being the world’s largest milk producer—a testament to the dedication of millions of small holder farmers and their livestock. Yet, behind this impressive statistic lies a pressing concern: low productivity. On average, Indian dairy animals produce only one-tenth of the milk compared to their counterparts, highlighting a significant gap in efficiency and sustainability.
A pivotal study—the Tamil Nadu Landscape Study, conducted by Kumaraguru Institutions in partnership with the Environmental Defense Fund—uncovered the systemic barriers that continue to hinder the dairy sector: high production costs, poor price realization, and weak last-mile delivery of essential inputs and veterinary services. The study captured the voices of farmers echoing fatigue, frustration, and an urgent demand for transformative change.
That change is now in motion.
In December 2024, Kumaraguru Institutions launched the Climate Smart Dairy Entrepreneurship Programme, a transformative initiative aimed at fostering sustainable, resilient, and scalable dairy farming models. Over a three-month intensive training phase, 112 dairy entrepreneurs were equipped with practical knowledge in breeding, nutrition, housing, animal health, and milk value addition. These entrepreneurs are now receiving nine months of dedicated field mentoring to support and empower over 10,000 smallholder dairy farmers across Tamil Nadu.
These entrepreneurs are not just business owners—they are changemakers, delivering quality inputs, reliable veterinary services, and evidence-based dairy practices to underserved communities. Their work generates triple impact as social empowerment, economic upliftment, and environmental resilience.
A flagship highlight of the programme was the “Dairy Yatra”—a 6,000-kilometre cross-country learning expedition through Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. More than 40 entrepreneurs participated, gaining firsthand exposure to innovative dairy practices from the lush pastures of Coimbatore to the arid landscapes of Rajasthan. This journey bridged regional wisdom with cutting-edge practices, offering a panoramic view of India’s rich dairy heritage and future potential.
The Valediction Ceremony of the Climate Smart Dairy Entrepreneurship Programme held on 2nd June 2025 at Madras Veterinary College, Chennai. This momentous event marks the culmination of months of rigorous training, innovation, and community engagement. It celebrates the tireless efforts of the new generation of dairy entrepreneurs and their pivotal role in shaping a more inclusive, efficient, and climate-resilient dairy ecosystem.
As India looks toward the future of agriculture, this initiative stands as a beacon of what is possible when collaboration, scientific insight, and grassroots leadership come together in service of a common goal.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. C. Soundararajan, Dean of Madras Veterinary College, stressed the importance of adopting climate-resilient and sustainable dairy practices to tackle challenges posed by climate change. Dr. Soundararajan highlighted the college’s dedication to empowering dairy farmers and entrepreneurs with innovative solutions to enhance productivity while ensuring environmental sustainability. The programme aims to strengthen the dairy sector by promoting science-based, climate-smart farming techniques.
Dr. Thanammal Ravichandran, Program Manager (Research), Kumaraguru Institutions, stated “These entrepreneurs are now catalysts of change in their villages—equipped not just with scientific knowledge, but with business acumen and climate awareness.”
The event featured powerful testimonials from the entrepreneurs, many of whom have transitioned from subsistence farming to running service-oriented micro-enterprises, underscoring the impact of training, mentoring, and exposure.
Shri. Shankar Vanavarayar, President, Kumaraguru Institutions, highlighted, “True rural transformation begins when farmers become entrepreneurs. This programme is part of our enduring commitment to purposeful innovation in agriculture and livestock development.”
Dr. K.N. Narendra Babu, Vice Chancellor (i/c), TANUVAS, emphasized the academic relevance of the programme, stating,“Universities embed climate-smart dairy practices into mainstream Training Handbook.” He also announced the signing of MoU between TANUVAS and Kumaraguru Institutions, under which 80 farmers have already been trained in value addition and animal nutrition.
Presiding over the ceremony, Thiru. Mano Thangaraj, Hon’ble Minister for Milk and Dairy Development, Government of Tamil Nadu said, “Tamil Nadu is well-positioned to lead India’s next dairy revolution—one that is green, inclusive, and farmer-first.”
Followed by 100 entrepreneurs are recognized by Minister.
Mr. Saravanan Chandrasekaran, Assistant Vice President, Kumaraguru Institutions, praised the collaboration with EDF and TANUVAS, adding, “This model has the potential to scale across India—building a national ecosystem of climate-smart livestock entrepreneurs and presented the roadmap for the next phase, which will emphasize grassroots engagement, digital innovation, and multi-stakeholder partnerships”. In his closing remarks, he said, “What we’ve started here will ripple across villages, districts, and eventually the nation. The road ahead calls for continued innovation, partnerships, and a shared purpose”.
What began as a training programme has now scaled into a grassroots movement for climate action, farmer prosperity, and sustainable livestock development. With its strong foundation in knowledge, mentorship, and community leadership, the Climate Smart Dairy Entrepreneurship Programme exemplifies scalability—a model that can be replicated and expanded across geographies to transform India’s dairy sector.
This initiative signals a new chapter where milk production is no longer measured by volume alone, but by its alignment with science, sustainability, and social equity.