The fist person we meet every morning is our 'doodhwala'. The person delivering milk bottles at our homes every morning combines different roles in himself. He may be the milcher of the cattle, distributer of the milk or procurement person. The dairy technology is a diversified field. It involves the role of different professionals and persons.

India has the largest number of cattles in the world. This makes India a global leader in milk production and other milk products. With the advent of tecjhnology and need of the time, the diary sector has been upgraded to the status of an industry. Dairy technology is the vital link between the diary sector and diarey industry.

There are more than 500 small and big diary plants owned by private companies and diary federations in the country mak9ing various milk products. These companies and federations are looking for good, qualified and well-trained personel to run the plants efficiently and profitably. The field is large, wideopen and one of the fast growing industries of the agro-based Indian economy.

Milk is used as such and acts as primary source for other products such as butter, ghee, paneer, cheese and for ice-creams custards, baby foods (such as Lacteogen) etc. To preserve milk and to make other milk prodcuts, requires technological and systematic look after. This look after forms important part of the diary technology.

Dairy technology needs professionals like procurement officers, who can collect milk from farmers, cattle-rearers, milk-booths, diary owners and other individuals or groups. The procurement officer should be abreast with the technology to check the quality and quantity of the milk from such different locations to the destined common location or factory.

Here, number of professionals well abreast with the dairy technology are required to churn and process milk for the required products and by-products. Different stages of production and different types of prodcuts require specialists of specific field. Dairy engineers are required to develop improved methods in production, preservation and utilisation of milk and milk products.

Some cooperatives and companies set up their own dairy farms. These dairy farms engage services of dairy engineers who are responsible for the setting up and maintenance of dairy plants and related activities; and marketing personnel who handle the marketing and sales of milk and milk products.
Courses:

Candidates who have passed 10+2 with Science with a minimum of 60 percent aggregate marks can opt for various courses in dairy technology. The selection is done on the basis of an entrance examination conducted at the National level.
After graduating in dairy technology one can pursue a master's degree in dairy engineering and dairy technology disciplines.

Candidates who have done B.V.Sc. and Biotechnology courses are exempted from graduation courses in dairy technology and can directly compete in the entrance to the master's degree programmes.