Cargill Invests ₹2.3 Crore in Dairy Development Program for Smallholder Farmers in India
02 June 2026, Mumbai: Cargill has launched a two-year Integrated Dairy Development Initiative in Maharashtra’s Ahilyanagar district in partnership with Syngenta Foundation India and Digital Green India. The programme aims to enhance livestock health, dairy productivity, and farmer resilience while aligning with government priorities on livestock modernization, digital agriculture, and rural income growth.
The initiative was inaugurated at Mumbai’s Mantralaya by Pankaja Munde, Minister of Animal Husbandry, Government of Maharashtra in the presence of senior government officials, industry representatives, partner organizations, and farmers participating from Ahilyanagar. Backed by an investment of more than ₹2.3 crore over the next two years, the programme is expected to directly benefit over 8,000 smallholder dairy farmers across more than 140 villages in the district.
Under the initiative, two mobile veterinary vans will provide doorstep animal healthcare services to more than 3,000 dairy farmers in 26 villages across Rahuri, Rahata, and Shrirampur. Equipped with diagnostic equipment, medicines, vaccination facilities, and reproductive healthcare support, the vans are designed to improve access to veterinary services, reduce treatment delays, and strengthen preventive animal healthcare in rural communities.
The programme also incorporates digital and capacity-building components. Around 5,000 farmers across 120 villages will receive AI-powered advisory services through FarmerChat, a voice-enabled platform developed by Digital Green. The platform will offer real-time guidance in local languages on livestock management, animal health, nutrition, government schemes, and other farm-related services. In addition, Pashu Sakhis and para-veterinary workers will be trained as master trainers to deliver village-level education on dairy management, breeding practices, animal nutrition, hygiene, and preventive healthcare.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Pankaja Munde emphasized the importance of technology-driven livestock development in strengthening rural economies and increasing farmers’ incomes. She noted that artificial intelligence, improved veterinary access, and skill development can play a crucial role in modernizing Maharashtra’s livestock sector while supporting women’s empowerment and sustainable livelihoods.
According to Ravinder Balain, President of Cargill India and Senior Managing Director for Animal Nutrition & Health, India, the initiative reflects the company’s long-term commitment to Maharashtra’s dairy sector. He highlighted that animal husbandry remains a key contributor to rural livelihoods and agricultural growth, making the state an important market for continued investment in dairy development.
Ahilyanagar was selected as the first district for implementation because of its significant livestock population and strong dependence on dairy-based livelihoods. While the region has a well-established dairy ecosystem, challenges related to animal healthcare access and timely veterinary services continue to affect productivity. The programme seeks to address these gaps through a combination of field-based veterinary support and digital advisory tools.
The partners will work closely with Maharashtra’s Department of Animal Husbandry and allied institutions to ensure alignment with state priorities and strengthen existing extension systems. By integrating technology, training, and last-mile service delivery, the initiative aims to create a scalable model for improving dairy productivity, enhancing farmer incomes, and building a more resilient livestock ecosystem across Maharashtra and potentially other states in the future.
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