The more than five-decades-old association between BAIF and Godavari Cooperative Milk Union, Kopargaon which has always been marked by mutual understanding, admiration and support, was reinforced on June 21, 2023 on the occasion of the 19th death anniversary of the visionary leader of Western Maharashtra – Shri. Namdeo Parjane Patil, former Chairman of Godavari Khore Sahakari Dudh Utpadak Sangh Ltd., Kopargaon and a strong supporter of BAIF and its Founder – Dr. Manibhai Desai.
On this occasion, Artificial Insemination (AI) Technicians associated with BAIF/BAIF Livelihoods Maharashtra and enterprising dairy organisations in the region, were felicitated by Dr. Hemant Vasekar, Commissioner, Animal Husbandry, Maharashtra in the presence of Dr. Shitalkumar Mukane, Additional Commissioner, Animal Husbandry, Maharashtra, Dr. Sunil Tumbare, Assistant Director, Animal Husbandry Department, Ahmednagar, Shri. Rajesh Parjane Patil, Chairman, Godavari Cooperative Milk Union and Mr. V.B. Dyasa, Regional Director, BAIF Livelihoods.
Navnath Kawade, Balasaheb Kolhe and Namdev Gaware were adjudged the Highest Achievers of Conventional AIs while Bhausaheb Jadhav, Gaurav Jadhav and Jalandar Sable recorded the highest Sorted Semen AIs during 2022-23. Various small and medium dairy organisations were recognised under various categories such as Highest Milk Collection Organisations (Jai Bajrang Sah Dudh Utpadak Sanstha, Padhegaon and Kalpataru Women Cooperative Dairy Society, Kolhale); Highest Rate Paying Milk Organisations (Janardhan Cooperative Milk Society, Astgaon and Jai Ambika Mahila Sa Dudh Utpa Sanstha, Tilvani); Non-perishable Milk Organizations (Renuka Mahila Cooperative Milk Production Society, Ukadgaon and Avdhut Cooperative Milk Production Organization, Madhi Budruk); Highest Milk Supply Centres (Om Sai Milk Collection Centre, Jhapewadi and Suregaon Godavari Milk Collection Centre, Suregaon); Highest Rate Paying Centres (Babhulgaon Godavari Milk Collection Centre and Godavari Milk Collection Centre); Highest Centres for Non-perishable Milk (Kolgaon Pati Godavari Milk Collection Centre and Shriram Milk Collection Centre, Kanlad) and Highest Milk Chilling Centres (Sahyog Milk Chilling Centre, Nimgaon, Madh Chhatrapati Milk Chilling Centre, Dadh and Anuja Milk Chilling Centre).
Shri. Rajesh Parjane Patil, Chairman, Godavari Cooperative Milk Union, in his Address, traced the growth of this Cooperative Milk Union, the challenges encountered and its significant contribution to the dairy sector in Maharashtra while acknowledging the significant support received from BAIF which has given a boost to the milk production in the region. Dr. Hemant Vasekar, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, expressed admiration for the entrepreneurial and resilience qualities demonstrated by Godavari Cooperative Milk Union and the partnership with BAIF Livelihoods while highlighting the remarkable extent of this collaboration by concluding that the milk produced in the entire Marathwada region was alone contributed by this partnership in Kopargaon. Dr. Shitalkumar Mukane, Additional Commissioner, Animal Husbandry, highlighted the value of public-private partnerships in the dairy value chain and cited the example of this partnership which has contributed to the growth of Godavari Cooperative Milk Union.
On this occasion, ‘Harit Dhara’, an anti-methanogenic feed supplement with methane emission reduction properties was introduced to the livestock fraternity. Dr. Manoj Aware, Chief Thematic Programme Executive, Animal Nutrition & Climate Action, BAIF, highlighted the critical role of nutrition in livestock, methane emission mitigation strategies and contribution of ‘Harit Dhara’ towards a green economy. A field exposure visit of 30 livestock owners to BAIF Central Research Station at Urulikanchan was flagged off on this occasion.
