A New India

Chapter 115: The Indo-Swiss Dairy Project - I

It was a late afternoon, and Rohan sat at his desk, surrounded by reports detailing the state of dairy production in Kerala.

The soft noise of wind rustling overhead did little to break the anxiety in the room, nor did it calm the knot tightening in his chest.

The numbers in front of him were bad. India, with its fertile land and hardworking farmers, was still falling behind in dairy production.

And Kerala, while showing promise, was nowhere near the global standards.

Rohan rubbed his temples. The answer, he knew, wasn't just in better management. It lay in the cattle themselves.

Indigenous breeds, while resilient, could not match the milk output of their European counterparts.

Crossbreeding was the solution specifically, bringing in high-yield European breeds and combining them with native breeds that could withstand the Indian climate.

The Sunandini breed in Kerala had shown early potential, but this was only the beginning.

His thought of Switzerland. The Swiss, world-renowned for their dairy expertise, had been quietly proposing a partnership for months.

The Swiss Brown breed, in particular, had already achieved success in crossbreeding projects globally.

But Rohan wasn't just thinking of importing foreign breeds. He was thinking bigger: a new kind of cattle, one that would change the face of Indian dairy forever.

The door creaked open, and Neeraj walked in, carrying the latest data from the agricultural department.

His footsteps were quick, but his expression was tight. He placed the thick file on the desk and glanced at Rohan.

"The numbers aren't where we need them,"he said, his voice low. "Kerala's showing some improvement, but it's not enough to meet our demand."

Rohan didn't look up. His fingers absently tapped the edge of the table.

"We need more than improvement, Neeraj. If we keep working with the breeds we have now, we'll never catch up." He leaned back, eyes closing for a brief moment.

"The Swiss proposal, there's our answer. Their breeds are more productive. But we can't just drop them into our climate. We have to adapt them. Make them ours."

Neeraj nodded, though there was hesitation in his voice. "We've already seen some success with the Sunandini breed, but you're talking about scaling up across the country. Kerala's just one state. Can the farmers handle it, especially in regions like Gujarat and Rajasthan?"

He didn't answer right away, lost in thought. Finally, he turned back to Neeraj.

"It's not just about the cattle. It's about giving farmers the tools they need. Artificial insemination, veterinary care, education... We need the Swiss for more than just their cows. We need their knowledge. Their expertise."

Neeraj frowned, flipping through the report again. "We'll have to get the farmers on board from the start. This can't be another government-mandated program. If they don't see the benefits, if they don't own it, it'll fail. Just like the others."

Before Rohan could respond, a sharp knock came at the door. Dr. Zalim one of India's foremost agricultural experts, entered with a stack of papers under his arm.

His usual calm demeanor was there, but there was a certain tension in his brow. He greeted them both, pulling up a chair.

"I've gone through the Swiss proposal," Dr. Zalim said, setting the papers down. "They're offering us a lot, technology, breeding programs, veterinary expertise. But we have to think carefully. They have their own interests in mind too."

Rohan gave him a slight nod. "I know. This isn't just about dairy for them. It's about showcasing their agricultural technology on a global stage. But that doesn't mean we can't benefit."

Dr. Zalim leaned forward. "True, but we need more than just imported cattle. We need infrastructure, training centers, veterinary services, and education for our farmers. The Swiss can't do all that for us. It has to come from here, from the ground up."

Rohan's lips curved into a small smile. "Exactly. We're not just looking for a quick fix. We're building a sustainable dairy economy. The Swiss can help us get there, but the future is in our hands."

Neeraj, added, "It worked in Kerala because we involved the farmers from the start. Over two thousand of them participated by the end. If we're going to expand this to places like Gujarat and Punjab, we'll need even more engagement. Farmers leading other farmers peer-to-peer influence."

Rohan turned to the large map of India on the wall. He traced his fingers across the states. "We'll start with Kerala, but I want pilot projects in Gujarat, Punjab, and Rajasthan. Each region has different needs. The Swiss can help with the science, but the implementation has to be led by us. This can't be top-down."

Dr. Zalim nodded but raised an eyebrow. "Sir, you know as well as I do that breeding programs take time. We're looking at years before we see any major results. How do we manage expectations? Farmers can't afford to wait for long-term outcomes.

We need to communicate that clearly."

Rohan's face darkened as he turned from the map. "I know. That's the challenge. But this project isn't just about milk production. It's about creating stability, sustainability. If we do it right, in ten years, India won't just be self-sufficient, we'll be exporting milk."

Neeraj shot him a look. "Sir, You really think the farmers will buy into that? We're asking them to change centuries-old practices. And let's be honest, not everyone's on board with foreign partnerships. There's still a lot of resistance out there to modern techniques."

Rohan met Neeraj's gaze, his voice steady. "They will, if they see the results. We need to create success stories, farmers who make it work. Once they see what's possible, the resistance will break."

Dr. Zalim sat back, his brow furrowed. "We'll need to be careful with media exposure. If the press catches wind of this too early, we'll get backlash from every side conservatives, politicians, even some within the farming community."

Rohan nodded, pacing slowly as he spoke. "We keep it quiet for now. We test, we prove, and then we let the results speak for themselves. Once the success is visible, even the harshest critics will have to take notice."

Neeraj stood up, rolling his shoulders. "Alright, then. I'll start drafting the formal proposal for the Swiss to sign. We need to lock them in before anyone else starts sniffing around. Dr. Zalim, you'll coordinate the pilot programs?"

Dr. Zalim gave a nod of agreement. "Yes, but I'll need to set up training centers in each region first. We can't just send cattle out there without proper support. The Swiss have offered trainers, and we'll need to integrate them with our local teams."

Rohan glanced at the window, where the light was fading into dusk. "This isn't just about milk," he said quietly.

"It's about giving farmers hope. A future. If we get this right, we'll change the agricultural landscape of India. Millions of lives will be transformed."

The room fell silent for a moment. Neeraj and Dr. Zalim exchanged glances, both feeling the truth of Rohan's words.

"We'll get it right," Neeraj said softly, his usual cynicism momentarily gone. "We have to."

Rohan gave a final nod, determination flickering in his eyes. "Good. Let's get to work."