TN Minister Urges Farmers to Adopt Tech for Value Addition in Dairy

In Coimbatore this week, Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Milk and Dairy Development, Mano Thangaraj, called on dairy farmers to embrace modern technologies to boost productivity and value addition across the sector. The appeal came at a three-day dairy innovation exhibition where government officials, industry players and producers gathered to explore emerging tools and methods aimed at strengthening farm economics and processing efficiencies.

Thangaraj highlighted the importance of farmer awareness on available technological solutions, noting that adoption of machinery and systems beyond traditional practices can unlock higher yields and better quality products. Financial support schemes are in place to encourage farmers to set up mini dairy units equipped with modern processing equipment, with assistance also available through Aavin — the state’s milk cooperative — to help small and marginal producers integrate appropriate technologies into their operations.

The minister’s remarks come as India’s dairy value chain increasingly explores innovations such as automated milking, IoT-enabled animal monitoring, blockchain traceability, precision feeding and AI-based health diagnostics, all of which are gaining traction among progressive dairy enterprises. These technologies have shown potential to improve animal health, increase milk yield, enhance hygiene, reduce labour costs and improve decision-making through real-time data.

Thangaraj also emphasised that value addition — moving beyond raw milk to output such as yoghurt, cheese, probiotic drinks and packaged dairy snacks — is crucial for farmers to capture higher margins in increasingly competitive markets. The government’s push aligns with broader national trends where digital and mechanised tools are helping producers increase efficiencies and tap premium segments.

Officials said the exhibition showcased a range of technologies suitable for different scales of dairy operation — from simple milk quality testing kits for village cooperatives to advanced sensor-based systems for larger farms. As policy and industry spotlight turn towards ‘technology adoption as a driver of farm income and dairy sector growth’, the minister’s call reflects a growing recognition that the future of dairying in India will be shaped as much by innovation as by traditional strengths.

Source : Dairynews7x7 Dec 12th 2025 The Hindu and others