Mumbai, June 02, 2026: 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 strengthen livestock health, dairy productivity, and farmer resilience while supporting the state’s focus on livestock modernisation and digital agriculture.
The initiative was inaugurated at Mumbai Mantralaya by Smt. Pankaja Munde, Honorable 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.
With an investment of over ₹2.3 crore under Cargill’s CSR and sustainability initiatives, the programme will initially be implemented in Ahilyanagar district before expanding to other regions. It is expected to benefit more than 8,000 smallholder dairy farmers across over 140 villages.
The initiative will provide mobile veterinary services to over 3,000 farmers in 26 villages across Rahuri, Rahata and Shrirampur through two Pashu Arogya Mitra Mobile Veterinary Vans. Equipped with diagnostic tools, medicines and vaccine cold-chain facilities, the vans will offer preventive healthcare, vaccination, reproductive services and routine animal health check-ups at farmers’ doorsteps.
In addition, around 5,000 farmers across 120 villages will receive AI-powered advisory services and training through Digital Green India’s FarmerChat platform. The voice-enabled digital platform will offer guidance on livestock management, animal health, government schemes and market-related information in local languages.
Smt. Pankaja Munde, Minister of Animal Husbandry, Environment & Climate Change, Government of Maharashtra, said, "Strengthening the rural economy and increasing farmers' income is a key priority of the state government. Animal husbandry and dairying are important pillars of rural development and need to be better facilitated by effective use of technology, artificial intelligence-based guidance and accessible veterinary services. This joint initiative of Cargill, Syngenta Foundation India and Digital Green India will contribute to the modernization of the livestock sector, women empowerment and sustainable rural livelihoods. I am confident that this initiative will benefit thousands of dairy farmers across Maharashtra and will accelerate our goals of 'Developed Maharashtra and Developed India'."
Ravinder Balain, President, Cargill India & Senior Managing Director Cargill Animal Nutrition & Health, India, said, “India’s dairy sector plays a critical role in strengthening rural livelihoods, food security, and agricultural growth, particularly in Maharashtra where animal husbandry remains deeply connected to the rural economy. For Cargill, the state is a strategic market, and we have been working closely with dairy farmers here for several years through nutrition, animal healthcare, farmer education, and veterinary outreach programs. I am confident that this initiative will greatly benefit Dairy farmers in the state, leading to a stronger dairy ecosystem for India.”
The programme will also focus on training Pashu Sakhis, para-veterinarians and master trainers to strengthen last-mile extension services and improve adoption of scientific livestock management practices.
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