Need to Increase Value Addition in Dairy Supply Chain, Enhance Productivity of Dairy Animals

Milk production in the country since independence has increased about 10 times and at present, it is around 176 million metric tonnes. Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & DG (ICAR) said in his Convocation Address. Dr Mohapatra was the Chief Guest on the occasion of the 17th convocation of the National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal.  

He congratulated the students and applauded the NDRI for providing a large number of trained young professionals in the field of dairy production, processing and management to the nation.    

Dr. Mohapatra urged the NDRI scientists and the young researchers for working on the contemporary issues in the dairy sector, such as, how to increase the dairy farmers’ income, tools for checking milk quality, means for increasing the value addition in dairy supply chain, enhancing productivity of dairy animals, mining of milk of various species for its health-promoting properties, etc. 

He also stressed on the need to create world class universities. Dr. Mohapatra urged the NDRI Scientists to take the opportunity created by the project like Institutional Development Project (IDP) for attracting more foreign students and also for developing their skill. The Director-General also urged the students for following the path of Discipline, Determination, and Dedication for achieving their dreams. 

Dr. R.R.B. Singh, Director, NDRI outlined the progress report underlining the Institute’s significant achievements during the past year. Dr. Singh also lauded all the awardees, teachers and parents. He briefed about the offering of Doctoral and Master Courses in 15 different disciplines by the Institute. He said that in addition, the Institute also offers the prestigious degree course leading to the award of B. Tech. (Dairy Technology). 

Dr. Singh briefed that at present, 917 students are undergoing the various academic programmes that includes 338 girl students and 5 foreign students (2 in Doctoral Programme, 2 in Masters Programme and 1 in Graduate Programme) from Syria, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Nepal. 

He also outlined that in the 17^th Convocation, 80 Ph.D. students, 144 Masters and 25 B.Tech students are being awarded the Degrees for successfully completing their tenures of studies in the Institute. He said that in the Year - 2017-18, the average salary offered was Rs. 5.04 and Rs. 8.20 lakhs per annum for the Under Graduate and Post Graduate students, respectively. 

Dr. Mohapatra felicitated Dr. Narender Raju Panjagari, Scientist with the “Best Teacher Award” in recognition of his academic excellence. 

Dr. R.R.B. Singh, Director, ICAR- NDRI conferred the Gold Medal for the highest marks during the Ph. D., Maters and B. Tech programmes to Dr. Man Singh, Shri Digvijay Singh and Shri Sandeep Baruah, respectively. 

Shri Sushil Kumar, Shri Mohd. Iqbal Bhat and Shri Sudhanand Prasad Lal were conferred with the “Medals for Best Thesis Research Work” during the Ph.D. Programme in the Production, Processing and Management Group, respectively. 

The “Medals for Best Thesis Research Work” during the Master’s Programme were conferred to Ms. Neeru Jaglan, Shri Shivam Panwar and Ms. Suchandra Dutta in the Production, Processing and Management Group, respectively. 

For overall contribution in research and teaching by the faculty, the Southern Regional Station (SRS) of NDRI, Bengaluru was adjudged as the Best Division. 

Dr. Dharmendra Kumar, Scientist, Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes (CIRB) was conferred the Dr. S.K. Sirohi Memorial Award for his contribution in the field of research. 

Dr. J.K. Jena, DDG (Animal Sciences), ICAR; Dr. Rameshwar Singh, Vice Chancellor, Bihar Animal Sciences University; Dr. S.K. Tomar, Academic Coordinator and Heads of different Divisions, etc., were also present during the occasion.