A foundational element of sustainable dairy farming, the article argues, lies in appropriate animal management and housing. Congested cow sheds and stressful environments increase disease risk and depress milk quality. Farmers are urged to consider animal comfort, proper ventilation, hygienic conditions and grazing opportunities to keep herds healthy — rather than focusing solely on high milk yields when selecting breeds, which may not be suited to local climates or feed resources.

Nutrition remains a critical bottleneck: many smallholders lack reliable access to nutritious fodder and concentrate feeds, particularly in offseason periods. The piece highlights the importance of producing organic feed on-farm, promoting scientific silage and hay techniques, and fostering feed innovations like urea molasses multi-nutrient blocks (UMMB). It also flags the need for improved veterinary services tailored to regional disease pressures such as mastitis and metabolic disorders.

Beyond animal care, the author underscores the need for eco-friendly infrastructure and energy solutions to reduce operational costs and environmental impact. Sustainable dairy farms should integrate power systems like solar energy, manage animal waste through composting or biogas units, and ensure electricity reliability. Such practices support both economic viability and environmental stewardship, aligning with broader agribusiness goals on climate and resource efficiency.