Career in Dairy Technology

What: India is the highest milk producer in the entire globe. India is well known as the ‘Oyster’ of the global dairy industry, with opportunities galore for the entrepreneurs globally. It might be dream for any nation in the world to capitalize on the largest and fastest growing milk and milk products’ market. The dairy industry in India has been witnessing rapid growth with liberalization. As the economy provides good opportunities for MNCs and foreign investors to release the full potential of this industry. The main objective of the Indian Dairy Industry is to manage the national resources in a manner to enhance milk production and upgrade milk processing using innovative technologies.

A skilled engineer employed in private sector can expect income around Rs. 10,000 – Rs. 20,000 every month in the beginning stage. After gaining experience one can earn around 30,000 – 45,000 every month. Graduates are generally recruited as trainees and shift officers. General Managers get salary of Rs 1, 20,000 and upwards every month.

How: The dairy industry produces a range of milk products- milk, butter, cheese, ghee, condensed milk, powdered milk, yoghurt, etc. while providing raw material for many other industries. With production expected to triple in the next 10 years, India will easily emerge as the world’s leading producer of milk products.

Job opportunities exist in both government and non-government sectors. The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), a multi-locational organization involved in planning, implementing, financing and supporting farmer-owned professionally agri-business enterprises is the core PSU in this field, although with almost every state aping Amul’s ‘cooperative’ success, employment opportunities have increased manifold for both technologists as well as  managers, both in production as well as marketing.

There are now more than 400 dairy plants in the country making various types of milk products. They need good qualified and well trained personnel to run the plants efficiently. Some of the options are;

Dairy Scientists: Dairy Technologists: Dairy Engineers: Marketing Personnel:

Where: For pursuing undergraduate course a candidate requires a minimum 10 + 2 Science with Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Biology and English and with a minimum aggregate of 55 %. Selection is on the basis of an All India Entrance Examination. The B.Sc/ B.Tech (Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry) is a four year programme after 10+2, and the Dairy Diploma course of two years duration for lower level technical positions. After graduating in dairying, candidates can opt for further studies and specialisation through a Master Programme in Dairying, or related areas such as genetics and breeding, livestock production, animal biotechnology or of food technology and preservation.

Institutions: