Nova Dairy, a part of Sterling Agro Industries Ltd, in collaboration with Nestlé and Unilever, has initiated a sustainable dairy program in seven model farms located in Fatehabad and Morena. The program aims to enhance sustainability in dairy farming practices by focusing on various aspects such as improving milk yield, animal welfare, and reducing environmental impact.
Through the sustainable dairy program, Nova Dairy is implementing strategies to boost milk production, including initiatives like high-yield seed management for fodder production, open housing systems to enhance animal welfare, artificial insemination, genetic enhancements for better fertility, and monitoring oestrus heat cycles to improve pregnancy rates. Utilizing tools like the Cool Farm Tool, the program has seen up to a 17% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per liter of milk, showcasing the positive influence of improved practices on environmental performance.
Innovative approaches are being adopted at Nova Dairy’s Malanpur manufacturing plant, where a 1.5 MWh solar power facility has been installed to partially meet the energy requirements of the plant. Back pressure turbines are employed to address steam and energy needs for pasteurization, evaporation, and drying processes using clean energy sources. Moreover, solar thermal systems have been integrated into milk chilling centers, significantly decreasing reliance on fossil fuels.
Furthermore, Nova Dairy is exploring additional climate-smart solutions such as the widespread adoption of biogas and biodigester systems at the farm level to capture methane emissions from manure and convert them into biogas for energy use in households. The company is also investigating methods like composting manure to reduce methane emissions by promoting aerobic decomposition, thus converting dung into renewable energy and organic fertilizers. These efforts are aligned with national initiatives led by Nestlé India and others to mitigate emissions associated with manure management.
In an effort to reduce methane emissions further, Nova Dairy is considering altering cattle diets by introducing maize silage instead of grass silage and incorporating feed additives like tannin-rich legumes, red seaweed, lipids, and nitrates to inhibit methane production. The company has also expanded the use of solar microgrids and renewable energy systems in milk collection centers, drawing inspiration from successful collaborations such as the Tata Power–NDDB models.
In conclusion, Nova Dairy’s sustainable dairy program, in collaboration with key partners like Nestlé and Unilever, exemplifies a proactive approach towards promoting eco-friendly dairy practices. Through a combination of innovative technologies, improved farming methods, and renewable energy integration, Nova Dairy is setting a benchmark for sustainable dairy farming in India and contributing to the industry’s shift towards a greener future.
Key Takeaways:
– Nova Dairy’s sustainable dairy program focuses on enhancing milk yield, animal welfare, and reducing environmental impact.
– Adoption of solar power facilities and renewable energy systems at manufacturing plants and milk chilling centers is reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
– Exploring biogas, biodigester systems, and dietary modifications for cattle to further curb methane emissions demonstrates Nova Dairy’s commitment to sustainable practices.
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