Kerala animal husbandry department earmarks 16 acres for Nettukalthery Dairy Science College and invests over Rs 6.4 crore in government Jersey breeding farms.
The Government of Kerala is advancing strategic investments in dairy education, livestock genetics, and farm infrastructure across Thiruvananthapuram district, as detailed by Animal Husbandry Minister J. Chinchurani in the Kerala Legislative Assembly. Addressing legislative queries raised by MLAs C.K. Harindran and G. Stephen, the minister confirmed that 6.4749 hectares (approximately 16 acres) have been formally earmarked for a proposed Dairy Science College at Nettukalthery in Kallikadu panchayat. Functioning under the academic and operational umbrella of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), the institution is designed to house a modern commercial dairy farm, farmer training centers, and advanced dairy technology laboratories. However, execution remains stalled at the administrative stage, pending land boundary surveys and formal deed handovers from revenue authorities before a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and construction timelines can be established.
While the academic campus awaits final land demarcation, the state has mobilized substantial capital deployments exceeding Rs 6.4 crore to upgrade vital government breeding centers in the Aruvikkara constituency: the Vithura and Chettachal Jersey farms. These state-owned facilities serve as the foundational genetic core for Kerala’s dairy herd, maintaining purebred and high-grade Jersey lines known for heat tolerance, high butterfat composition, and feed conversion efficiency in tropical conditions. Under the 2026-27 state scheme for strengthening Animal Husbandry Department farms, dedicated initial funds were released for parent stock management, fodder development, animal feed, veterinary pharmaceuticals, and critical biologicals across both facilities.
The state government and the Thiruvananthapuram District Panchayat have paired baseline allocations with major capital infusions to overhaul farm operations. At the Vithura Jersey Farm, combined project budgets include Rs 2.20 crore dedicated to livestock feed, commercial fodder production, and disease prevention, alongside Rs 33 lakh for solar fencing to protect grazing tracts from wildlife incursions, Rs 20 lakh for operational overheads, and Rs 87 lakh for ongoing spillover infrastructure works. Concurrently, the Chettachal Jersey Farm is executing modernizations totaling several crores, including Rs 1.4 crore for animal nutrition and healthcare, Rs 15 lakh for fodder cultivation, and Rs 25 lakh each to support primary farm operations, a poultry hatchery, and specialized “Green Milk” distribution.
From an industrial processing and cold-chain infrastructure perspective, modernization projects at Chettachal target farmgate value addition and food safety compliance. Capital allocations include Rs 13 lakh dedicated to commissioning an on-site bulk milk cooler (BMC) and automated pouch-packing line, Rs 32 lakh for an active pump house installation, Rs 5 lakh for dedicated drinking water supply connections, and Rs 3.5 lakh to secure ISO quality certifications. Integrating on-farm chilling and automated packaging allows the state breeding farm to chill raw milk immediately down to 4°C, preserving microbiological quality, lowering somatic cell counts, and pasteurizing branded fluid milk directly for regional institutional and consumer retail.
At the farmgate procurement and breed improvement level, revitalizing state Jersey farms directly supports smallholder dairy economics across southern Kerala. Thousands of smallholder milk producers rely on state-run artificial insemination networks and high-genetic-merit parent stock to upgrade backyard herds, combat dairy cattle infertility, and lift average milk yields per lactation. As commercial cattle feed inflation and forage shortages challenge producer margins heading into 2027, resolving the bureaucratic land hurdles at Nettukalthery and modernizing the Vithura and Chettachal breeding farms will remain essential to training future dairy professionals, securing high-quality animal genetics, and ensuring sustainable milk production across the state.
Source: The Times of India
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