In a major push to strengthen rural livelihoods and improve livestock productivity, Cargill has launched an Integrated Dairy Development Initiative in Maharashtra’s Ahilyanagar district, in partnership with Syngenta Foundation India and Digital Green India.
The programme was inaugurated at Mumbai Mantralaya by Smt. Pankaja Munde, Minister of Animal Husbandry, Environment & Climate Change, Government of Maharashtra, in the presence of Shri N. Ramaswamy, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries, Government of Maharashtra, along with partner organisations and dairy farmers participating from Ahilyanagar district.
INR 2.3 Crore Investment to Strengthen Dairy Ecosystem
As part of its corporate social responsibility and sustainability initiatives, Cargill will invest over INR 2.3 crore during the next two years to strengthen livestock healthcare, dairy productivity and farmer resilience in Maharashtra.
The initiative will initially focus on the Ahilyanagar district before expanding to additional regions. Through the deployment of Pashu Arogya Mitra Mobile Veterinary Vans across 26 villages in Rahuri, Rahata, and Shrirampur, the programme aims to support more than 3,000 dairy farmers by improving access to veterinary care and animal healthcare services.
Additionally, over 5,000 farmers across 120 villages will receive AI-powered digital advisory support and training in farmer capability building under the programme.
Focus on Veterinary Healthcare and AI-Based Advisory
At the centre of the initiative are two Mobile Veterinary Vans, developed in partnership with the Syngenta Foundation India, to address last-mile veterinary healthcare challenges in rural Maharashtra. Equipped with diagnostic tools, medicines and vaccine cold-chain facilities, the vans will provide preventive healthcare, reproductive services, vaccinations and routine animal health check-ups directly at farmers’ doorsteps.
Complementing this effort, Digital Green India will conduct livestock and farm management training programmes aimed at strengthening farmers’ knowledge of animal nutrition, calf care, housing, hygiene, preventive healthcare, breeding, and dairy management.
The programme will also introduce FarmerChat, an AI-powered, voice-enabled advisory platform that offers real-time guidance in local languages via voice, text, and image-based queries. The platform will help farmers access information on government livestock schemes, veterinary services, input providers, and market options.
Maharashtra Focuses on Modern Dairy Development
Speaking during the launch event, Smt. Pankaja Munde stated that strengthening the rural economy and increasing farmers’ income remain key priorities for the Maharashtra government. She emphasised that animal husbandry and dairying are critical pillars of rural development and require stronger support through technology, AI-based advisory systems and accessible veterinary services.
Ravinder Balain, President, Cargill India and Senior Managing Director, Cargill Animal Nutrition & Health India, highlighted the importance of Maharashtra within India’s dairy sector and noted that Cargill has been working closely with dairy farmers in the state for several years through nutrition, veterinary outreach and farmer education programmes.
Building Resilient Dairy Livelihoods
The initiative is expected to help reduce livestock disease incidence, improve milk productivity and increase annual farmer income through better preventive care and scientific dairy management practices.
The programme will also support women’s participation in the dairy sector by training Pashu Sakhis and para-veterinary workers, while strengthening last-mile extension services in rural communities.
According to project partners, Ahilyanagar was selected due to its strong dependence on dairy-based livelihoods and the growing need for accessible animal healthcare services in rural areas.
The initiative further aligns with Maharashtra’s broader vision of developing a more resilient, technology-enabled, and productive dairy ecosystem through the adoption of digital agriculture and improved veterinary outreach.
