Yili Group has presented a China-based whole-value-chain dairy model at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ (FAO) inaugural
Global Conference for Actions on One Health in Agrifood Systems, highlighting links between ecosystem restoration, precision dairy farming and farmer livelihoods.
Speaking during the
“RENOFARM in Action” session, Yili Group Vice President Xu Ke outlined initiatives in Inner Mongolia and other regions that the company says demonstrate how land restoration, livestock management and dairy production can be integrated across the value chain.
Restoring Degraded Grassland
In Ar Horqin Banner, Inner Mongolia, Yili has implemented a grass-livestock integration approach in areas affected by land degradation.
According to the company, protein-rich, deep-rooted
alfalfa was planted to help stabilize soil and restore
55,000 mu, equivalent to about 3,667 hectares, of degraded grassland.
The restored land now provides forage for livestock while supporting ecosystem recovery, creating a production cycle linking grassland restoration, cattle rearing and dairy farming.
Technology-Focused Cow Welfare
Yili also highlighted its
Chilechuan Ecological Smart Farm, where technologies covering the full life cycle of cattle are being used for animal health and welfare management.
The farm uses
automated temperature control, IoT-enabled health monitoring and precision nutrition tailored to different stages of animal development. Yili says these measures are designed to support animal welfare and raw-milk quality.
In 2026, FAO named the Chilechuan Ecological Smart Farm a
RENOFARM Farm 5Gs Pilot Champion. Yili has also received FAO Contribution Awards for Social Responsibility for its animal-welfare and precision-farming practices, according to the company.
Farmer Training and Income Growth
Another part of Yili’s presentation focused on dairy farmer and herder development.
Yili and FAO established
Dairy Farmer Field Schools in 2014, providing practical training on cow health, feed-ration optimization and farm-upgrade planning. The programme also includes funding and technical support, according to Yili.
Over more than a decade, the company reports that
5.6 million herders in Inner Mongolia have increased their incomes through the programme. Yili also reported that the scale of dairy farming expanded more than tenfold, while daily milk production doubled.
The company said these initiatives reflect a broader
One Health approach that considers the interconnected health of people, animals and ecosystems.
The presentation comes as the global dairy industry faces increasing attention on resource efficiency, animal welfare, farmer livelihoods and environmental resilience. Yili said it plans to deepen cooperation with FAO and other industry partners to advance what it describes as high-quality development across global dairy and agrifood systems.
Source: Dairynews7x7 29 Sep, 2026
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