Military Dairy Farms Fade Into History

INDIA - The military dairy farms at Hebbal and Agaram - which house over 600 cattle - are in the process of being demolished to make way for hi-tech establishments. The two farms have been supplying milk to defence personnel and establishments all over Bangalore for over a century. Now, it’s all going to be history.

In the bargain, state-owned Nandini will be richer by about Rs 25 lakh per month. The state cooperative will gain a lucrative outsourcing contract of supplying as much as 7,000 litre of milk per day to these establishments including the Army and Air Force Station at Jalahalli.

“Maintenance of these farms, growing fodder, rearing cattle and distributing milk, among other logistical requirements including human resource, have become impossible for the armed forces.

“Outsourcing it will be much cheaper and is an easier alternative,” Commander of Karnataka and Kerala Sub-Area of Indian Army, Brig. Clement Samuel, told The Times of India. “Nandini milk is of high quality and it’s a win-win situation for both of us,” he added.

According to estimates, the armed forces consume about 7,000 litre of milk per day. This translates to Rs 84,000 per day that will fall into Nandini’s kitty. Full-fledged supply to the defence establishments will begin by December, Brig. Samuel added.

A hi-tech Pioneer Training Centre will come up at Hebbal’s 179-acre farm and the 500-acre Agaram farm will house the software development centre.

The Golden Past

Over a century ago, the farm supplied as much as 500 litre of milk to surrounding areas! Owned by a Parsi businessman, the farm grew both in capacity and technology.

A century-old John Deere tractor at Hebbal, stands as a mute spectator that has witnessed the farm’s glory days.

In 1944, the Maharaja of Mysore, Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, inaugurated the butter and cheese Factory. The Indian Army then took over the property at a cost of Rs 1.5 lakh.

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Source: Times of India

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