Dairy Technology is a part of Science that deals with the processing of milk and related products. The field deals with the study of processing, packing, storage, transportation and distribution of dairy products by involving the sciences of nutrition, bacteriology and biochemistry. In addition to these, some of the principles of economics, engineering, physics and chemistry are also included in the field of dairy technology for proper utilization of milk and its products. The dairy industry in India plays a crucial role in the agro-based economy of the nation.

The industry has been maintaining the status of one of the major exporting sector in the nation right from the year 1946 when the Anand Milk Union Limited popularly known as AMUL was established. This development of the dairy industry, has increased the demand for trained and talented professionals in both private and public sector to serve the field of dairy technology. With the increasing demand for dairy technologists many universities in India has introduced dairy technology courses.

Courses in Dairy Technology:

As mentioned earlier, Dairy Technology courses are being offered by a number of institutions in India and courses pertaining to this field are being offered at UG, PG and diploma levels. Some of them are Bachelor of Science in Dairy Technology, Master of Science in Dairy Science/Technology and Post Graduate Diploma in Dairy Technology. Even some engineering colleges has included dairy technology course in their curriculum and are offering B. Tech course in Dairy Technology. For seeking admission to the UG course, candidates must have completed their higher secondary examination in science stream from  recognized board and for PG courses, candidates must have completed their UG in relavant stream from a recognized university. Normally admission is made based on their performance at the national level or state level entrance examination.

Institutes offering Dairy Technology courses in India:

The names of some of the institutions offering dairy technology courses in India are given below:

• National Dairy Research Institute (Bangalore & Karnal)

• College of Dairy Technology, Madhya Pradesh

• Sanjay Gandhi Institute of Dairy Technology, Bihar

• College of Veterinary Science, Andhra Pradesh

• College of Dairy Science – Rajasthan Agricultural University, Udaipur

• National Dairy Research Institute – Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Haryana

• Sheth MC College of Dairy Science (Gujarat)

• College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences – Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

• Dairy Science Institute, Mumbai

Career Prospects:

With the formation of the National Dairy Development Board in India, the need and importance of dairy technologists has improved considerably in the nation. Many private and government organizations in the field of dairy technology are looking for appropriate personnel who can perform execution, development and even designing of new projects in the field of dairy technology. After completion of degree of PG course in dairy technology, candidates can join in dairy equipment manufacturing plant or in ice cream units or in entrepreneurial ventures in milk plants as project executive or dairy consultant or supervisor.

Government jobs in Dairy Technology:

When it comes to government jobs in the field of dairy technology, candidates can join in any of the following government-run organizations:

• Research and development organizations

• Institutions offering dairy technology courses as lecturers

• In quality control departments of government dairy firms

• Dairy product manufacturing companies working under the control of government

• Milk product processing firms

• Rural banks

• Co-operative banks

• Dairy farms

Many state governments in India has their own dairy farms and candidates with degree in the field of dairy technology are in great demand in these farms.

Thus, dairy technology is a field that offers wide range of employment opportunities to appropriate professionals and this sector being one among the allied agricultural industry, is sure to develop in India.