Action Research in the Dairy Sector

Collaboration: Lyngby (Denmark); IpL Bologna (Italy); PAU (Punjab, India); GLS, (Gujarat, India); NISTADS ( Delhi, India)

The purpose of action research in the diary sector is to learn from each other about the agriculture enterprise, the dairy sector processing industries, regional and national models of innovation, collaboration and networking of R &D institutions and rural and village dairy sector enterprises and cooperative. And the role of ICT for communication and dissemination of knowledge between and across regions both with and across India and Europe. Out focus is on the promotion of ICT and multimedia tools for transfer of technology and knowledge between universities and SMEs, as well on the diffusion of knowledge from universities and research centres to enterprises in form of technology and know-how. As part of this collaboration the EU-India Network is acting as a catalyst in promoting collaborations between Indian and European farmers, initially between Punjabi and Danish framers and future bilateral cooperation between Indian and Italian regions.

Action research workshops are organised both in Europe and India to share and exchange knowledge and experiences of entrepreneurial activities in India (Punjab and Gujarat states) and Europe (Danish cooperatives and Emilio Romagna region of Italy). These workshop provide a fruitful forum for knowing the strengths and weaknesses of cooperative dairies, the diversity and commonality of models and approaches being followed in different regions in India and Europe, the existence of networking patterns and socio-economic contexts for the transfer of knowledge within and across regions as well the adaptation and adoption entrepreneurial activities. The case studies on the status of Dairy Development in different countries provides an insight into the working and functioning of cooperative dairies, especially the unique cluster approach of networking of the Anand Model (Gujarat) and its transfer to dairy cooperatives in Punjab. The dairy cooperatives in Italy gives an enlightening experience of the varieties of dairy products processed, the hygiene and safety standards followed and especially code of ethics followed in real sense regarding quality approval to milk and milk products from field to table. For example, the unique cluster in networking approach of the ANAND Model (Gujarat) can be transferred dairy cooperatives of Punjab, making dairy cooperatives in Punjab more successful. The Dairy Cooperatives in Italy provide an enlightened local cultural and entrepreneurial model for promoting organic dairy cooperative in other regions of Europe and India, especially the code of ethics followed in real sense regarding quality approval to milk and milk products from field to table.