19JULY 2025In an exclusive interview with Industry Outlook magazine, Kalyan Kumar Bhadra, Founder & Chief Consultant of 360 Degree Dairy, explains the dairy sector's role in a circular economy by converting by-products into valuable resources. He insists on sustainability efficiency through judicious use of water, reduction of emissions, and adoption of renewable energy. He also emphasizes increasing supply chain efficiency and adopting eco-friendly packaging. He has over 11 years of experience in providing holistic consulting and training services exclusively for dairy food sector.INDUSTRY INSIGHTSIMPORTANCE OF HOLISTIC PROJECT PLANNING IN THE DAIRY SECTORSustainable growth is crucial for the long-term viability of the dairy sector. What role does holistic project planning play in ensuring sustainable growth and scalability in the dairy sector?Dairy remains better than other products in many respects. It is also the only source of animal protein for vegetarians, with unmatched bioavailability. When it comes to holistic project planning, there are two critical areas to address: improving animal productivity and incorporating considerations for procurement, processing, manufacturing, and marketing. In terms of marketing, the principles are largely similar to those for FMCG food products. The focus should be on deploying 100 percent electric vehicles or 100 percent solar powered vehicle, for distribution and milk procurement. Alternative energy sources should also be employed in manufacturing and processing of milk and milk products.Water consumption in the dairy industry has significantly improved. Initially, three liters of water were required per one liter of milk. With advancements in technology, particularly in effluent treatment, this has been reduced to a 1:1 ratio. In an efficient dairy plant, the usage of water is as low as one liter of water per liter of milk handled or processed. For instance, efficient dairy plants are Gandhinagar dairy of Amul, which are zero-disposal plants. Treated water from effluent treatment plants (ETPs) is reused within the dairy for purposes like gardening, fruit cleaning, and other cleaning activities.The project must aim to reduce energy consumption. For instance, milk procurement testing machines and analyzers have been converted to solar power. In a holistic plan, improving animal productivity is key to enhancing sustainability. To achieve this, factors such as breeding, feeding, animal management, and animal health management must be prioritized. Holistic project planning must consider all these factors to ensure sustainability in the dairy sector.In what ways does holistic planning improve the integration of supply chain elements, from feed production to milk distribution?There are two primary value chains in the dairy sector. The first value chain ranges from milk production to milk procurement, up to the point that it reaches the dairy. This is the back-end value chain. After reaching the dairy plant, the milk undergoes intermediate chilling, processing, and manufacturing, turning into various dairy products. The front-end process involves moving these products from the dairy's cold storage to consumers. This supply chain resembles that of any other FMCG product, involving transporters, distributors, warehousing, and finally, retailers.It is the same case as in the case of FMCG distribution. Some dairies in North India have adopted e-rickshaws for the distribution of milk, which is a step toward sustainability. In addition, the Automatic Milk Collection Units (AMCUs), being solar powered, is another initiative contributing to the sustainability of the dairy sector in the back end. Throughout Kalyan Kumar Bhadra, Founder & Chief Consultant Kalyan Kumar Bhadra, Founder & Chief Consultant of 360 Degree Dairy
< Page 9 | Page 11 >