Dairy farming is an integral part of mountain agriculture in the central Himalayas, particularly Uttarakhand. Mountain farmers are accustomed to rearing some animals as an essential component of the farming systems they have evolved. Among the various basic needs the animals fulfil, milk is the most important for a family. In the traditional mountain setting, dairy farming as a source of cash income may not be very visible, but dairy products have been and continue to be indispensable food supplements for virtually all families in the region. Mountain communities tend to depend on the diversification of agriculture in order to reduce risks and derive more economic benefits from the limited resource base they possess. Dairy farming is one of the most important dimensions of diversified agriculture and will often be the most attractive economic activity for smallholders in the mountains to concentrate on.
At India has organized mountain women into dairy Producer Groups (PGs) and helped them to take up improved animal husbandry practices and technology. Extensive trainings and demonstrations were given at village level to expose them to best dairy practices. Milk vans with refrigeration facility have been provided to families the stakeholders in the Kedar Valley. A Bulk Milk Chiller has been set up by the organization, as a standby arrangement to ensure milk storage during the monsoon season and other environmental adversities.
Over 8,610 dairy farmers (80% women) in 589 villages have been earning an income of INR 3,000-4,000 per month by the sale of fresh milk. 77 Business Service Providers (BSPs) have been were developed by AT India at different location in Uttarakhand to provide a bouquet of services related to dairy development.