Livestock Technology Showcased at Karnal Dairy Mela
A three-day National Dairy Mela and Agricultural Expo-2026 began at the ICAR–National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) in Karnal, highlighting modern livestock technologies and innovations for dairy farmers. The event was inaugurated by Raghavendra Bhatta, Deputy Director General (Animal Sciences) at Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
NDRI Director Dheer Singh said the mela provides a platform for farmers and livestock owners to learn about the latest government schemes and technologies related to dairy farming. He noted that 70–80 million people depend on animal husbandry for their livelihood, with about 17% being women, while India produces around 25% of the world’s milk, ranking first globally.
The institute’s Karan Fries cow breed, recently registered, can produce up to 46 litres of milk, compared to the average yield of about 14 litres per cow. Addressing the gathering, Dr Bhatta said India currently produces 248 million tonnes of milk, with targets to increase output to 300 million tonnes by 2030 and 600 million tonnes by 2047.
He also noted that Uttar Pradesh leads India in milk production, followed by Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, while the country’s average daily milk consumption is about 484 grams per person. The expo features participation from 16 NDRI divisions, eight ICAR institutes and about 70 commercial stalls, while around 400 animals are competing in different categories with a total prize pool of ₹12 lakh.
Experts at the mela emphasised the importance of integrating allied agricultural sectors and adopting new dairy technologies to improve productivity and farmer incomes.
Source: Dairynews7x7 7th March, 2026 Read full story here
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