National Dairy Research Institute - NDRI

About National Dairy Research Institute - NDRI

The National Dairy Research Institute is country's premier Dairy Research institution. It has extensive expertise in different areas of Dairy Production, Processing, Management and Human Resource Development. Information generated at the Institute and the services offered have contributed to the growth of Dairy Industry as a whole and well-being of millions of milk producers and consumers of milk and milk products. The National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal was originally started as Imperial Institute of Animal Husbandry and Dairying in 1923 at Bangalore. It was expanded and renamed as Imperial Dairy Institute in 1936 and was known as National Dairy Research Institute after independence in 1947.  Subsequently, in 1955, NDRI Headquarter was shifted to Karnal. Facilities at Bangalore were retained to function as a Regional Station to serve the Southern States. In 1964, Eastern Regional Station of the Institute was established at Kalyani in West Bengal. Both these Regional Stations continue to provide region specific R&D support for dairy development in these areas. In 1970, NDRI was brought under the wings of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research to provide greater operational autonomy to the Institute in research management functions. In 1989, status of Deemed University was conferred to the Institute for further strengthening the academic programmes for human resource development. The Institute has also been recognized as Centre of Advanced Studies in the disciplines of Animal Genetics & Breeding and Dairy Technology to further strengthen its HRD activities. The valuable scientific expertise that the Institute has gained in tropical dairying is being shared with the scientific community through specially designed international training courses. There are 30 such courses offered, covering contemporary knowledge base for addressing problems related to animal breeding, feeding, milk processing and marketing. The Institute continues to attract international students from a host of countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Myanmar, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Holland, Egypt and many other countries for training and education in Dairying. The sprawling 560 ha campus of the Institute is self sufficient in housing laboratories, offices, hostels, hospital, residential complexes, auditorium etc.

Location  - Karnal is 250 mt. above mean sea level, latitude 29.43 N & longitude 77.2 E. Click here -  for Map Location

Transportation

1. Air - Domestic & international flights to & from Indira Gandhi Airport, Delhi are Available.
2. Rail/Bus - Karnal is 133 km from Delhi & Institute is 1 km from Railway Station/Bus Stand.

Faculty

• Animal Biochemistry
• Animal Biotechnology
• Dairy Cattle Breeding Division
• Dairy Cattle Nutrition
• Dairy Cattle Physiology
• Dairy Chemistry
• Dairy Eco. Stat. and Management
• Dairy Engineering
• Dairy Extension
• Dairy Microbiology
• Dairy Technology
• Live Stock Production and Management

Facilities

Hostels - For the students excellent hostel accommodation is available with all modern facilities in terms of well- furnished rooms, sports, indoor games, T.V. rooms, reading rooms, hobby centre, cultural activities etc. A number of messes with modern cooking provisions are available for the boarding requirements of the hotel residents. A Cafeteria is also available for refreshments near the hostel. In all, there are 5 hostels in the Institute providing accommodation for over 600 students. B.Tech. (Dairy Technology) students are located in Brahamputra Hostel, while post-graduate students are accommodated in Sutlej Hostel and Krisha hostel, respectively. There is a separate hostel accommodation for girl students known as Kaveri Girls Hostel. A limited accommodation in the Married Scholar Hostel is available for Ph.D. Scholars sponsored from Indian Universities, Research Institutions and State Government. Apart from above a Newly built International Hostel Furnished with all modern facilities is available for foreign students.

National Library - NDRI has in its fold a National Library for Dairying, which has over 90,000 documents on Dairying and allied disciplines. The library subscribes to 250 Indian and foreign journals and caters to the needs of the scholars of NDRI and the sister institutions within the country. It is adequately equipped with facilities like Internet, Documentation, Reference, Current Awareness Services, CD-ROM, Photocopying, Literature & Documentation Scanning services.

KVK & DTC - Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and Dairy Training Centre (DTC) at NDRI conducts regular training programmes for Farmers and rural women in order to acquaint them with modern dairy farming practice. The Dairy Extension Division of the Institute has developed information packages in the form of video films  and multimedia packages on clean milk production, hygienic milk processing and packaging and scientific calf rearing based on Information and Communication Techniques (ICT). Mechanisms for transforming the output of R&D efforts into viable technologies are being further strengthened by establishing National Demonstration Centers. Keeping in view the significance of ICT in relation to Transfer of Technology (TOT) in the current scenario, the Agricultural Technology Information Centre (ATIC) of the Institute works as a single window delivery system for all queries related to technologies available at the Institute.

Consultancy Processing Cell - The Institute continues to share its innovative dairy processing technologies with the Indian Dairy Industry through the Consultancy Processing Cell. Some of the technologies that have been recently transferred are those of long-life paneer, whey- jaljeera drink, instant banana milk mix, payasam mix, gulabjamun mix, calcium-enriched milk, emulsifier mix for frozen desserts, Herbal ghee etc.

Computer Centre - The Computer Centre tagged with Agricultural Research Information System (ARIS) and Biotechnology Information System (BTIS) is engaged in multifarious academic and service providing activities like monitoring management information, maintaining databases, software development, data analysis, graphic applications and Bioinformatics for the benefit of staff and students through the establishment of Local Area Network (LAN).

Communication Centre - The Communication centre of the institute has developed the facilities of digital photography/videography, State-of-the-art projection systems displays of achievements and technologies of various Divisions of the Institute and Main Auditorium and Mini auditorium to organize various functions and events of the institute.

These facilities are provided to various departments of the Institute through the following units:

1. Main & Mini Auditorium.      
2. Exhibition Unit.
3. Photo Lab.
4. Projection Unit.
5. Video Lab.

The Experimental Dairy Plant - It has facilities to process milk into a variety of products, it  provides necessary infrastructure for experimentation on new product/process development and meeting the training needs of students in pilot-scale dairy plant operations. The Model Dairy Plant  with the most modern equipment and process automation, and a processing capacity of 60,000 litres of milk per day has been established with the collaboration of NDDB to provide hands-on training facilities to the B. Tech. students of NDRI Deemed University and for scientists to carry out scaling up of operations for products and processes developed in the research laboratories. The Plant has acquired ISO 9002 and HACCP Certifications.

Research & Development - The R&D activities of the Institute mainly focus on three fundamental facets of Dairying i.e. production and management of dairy animals for better productivity, innovating suitable milk processing technologies and equipments, and providing the dairy farmers and entrepreneurs with information about existing market demands and practical management inputs for making dairying a self-sustaining, profitable business. Research, both in basic and applied aspects, in various disciplines constitute the core activity of the Institute. Continued research efforts on genetic improvement of dairy animals has resulted into development of superior strains of dairy cattle namely 'Karan-Fries' and 'Karan-Swiss' which are suitable for Indian agro-climatic conditions both at organized farm and field levels. These synthetic strains have been evolved by crossing the Tharparkar and Sahiwal  as indigenous breeds with Holstein-Friesian and Brown Swiss, respectively, using scientific breeding methodologies. The young bulls of Sahiwal and Karan-Fries cattle and Murrah buffaloes produced through nominated matings are progeny-tested to select genetically superior bulls with higher breeding values.A new state-of- the-art research facility with 60,000 square feet of laboratory space has been created recently to give further fillip to research in Animal Biotechnology at NDRI. The Institute has recently taken up steps to start new activities like establishment of Technology Business Incubator (TBI) facility at NDRI to promote entrepreneurship and wider application of technologies developed here and efforts are being made to establish a National Referral Laboratory for analysis of milk, milk products, feed and fodder.

Scholarships/Fellowships/Awards - These are:

1.  Director's Gold Medal - It is awarded to the students who secure first position and "Merit Certificate" is awarded to the students who secure second position provided that he/ she has obtained at least 70% marks and completed all the courses prescribed for the degree successfully in the first attempt. This Medal is awarded to students of B. Tech (Dairy Technology) and students of Master in Dairying.

2.  Institute Scholarships - Features and Rules:

• Scholarships will be offered to assist the meritorious B.Tech. (Dairy Technology) students who need financial assistance. This provision will be utilized to assist as many students as possible who have good academic record and are making diligent efforts to pursue higher education.

• The National Talent Scholarship (NTS) @ Rs. 1000/- per month shall be awarded by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) on merit provided that the domicile of the candidate is other than Haryana State.

• Institute Scholarship at the rate of Rs. 7,560/- per month is offered to all the Master's students and Rs. 10,500/- per months to all the Ph.D students of Indian Nationality. Scholarship is offered to only those who do not receive any Financial Assistance/ Scholarship/ Fellowship from any other source. These scholarships will be governed by Scholarship Rules of the Institute.

• The students are required to submit a surety bond of Rs. 30,000/- for Master in Dairying and Rs. 50,000/- for Ph.D in Dairying, on non-judicial stamp papers as appended in the information bulletin (Annexure-II) from a permanent ICAR/ Central/State Govt. employee as a pre-condition for release of the scholarship/ fellowship.

• The in-service candidates under ICAR/SAU set up are eligible for the award of Institute Scholarship @ Rs.1000/- per month subject to fulfilment of conditions prescribed by ICAR.

• In order to protect intellectual property, the students admitted to Master and Doctoral programmes at NDRI are required to submit the Secrecy Agreement in the prescribed format.

Collaborations - The scientific competence and excellence in conducting various research programmes at the Institute has attracted funds from various National and International Organisations/agencies. To exchange information and acquire current and advanced knowledge in basic and applied fields of Dairy Science, the Institute maintains close liaison with various ICAR/CSIR Institutes, Dept. of Biotechnology, Dept. of Science and Technology, NDDB, Ministry of Food Processing & Industry, SAUs and various Government Agencies at State and National levels, and several International Organisations such as World Bank, IAEA, UNDP, IDF, DAAD, Volkswagen Foundation AVH Foundation and several leading institutions in the UK, USA, Canada, Germany, Netherlands and Australia.

Industrial Consultancy Services - Consultancy Services Board has been established at NDRI, Karnal in pursuance of the technology policy of Govt. of India, which lays stress on the development of indigenous technologies and their effective transfer to industry.

For providing assistance to the Nation’s Dairy Industry, consultancy services are available in the following areas:

1. Milk Production and procurement.
2. Products/ Processes / Equipments developed at NDRI.
3. Engineering design support for scaling up and fabrication of dairy equipments developed at NDRI.
4. Preparation of techno-economic feasibility reports for dairy projects on milk production and milk processing /product manufacture.
5. R&D assistance in product manufacture and problem solving.
6. Quality assurance and product testing including feed analysis / evaluation.

Professional Societies - These are:

• ANSI - Animal Nutrition Society of India is an apex body for the animal nutrition research and its application on the farm/ field and feed industry, with regard to feeding of animals and laying of feeding standards for the different categories of livestock. Today, the society has about 900 plus members coming from National Research Institutes, State Agricultural Universities, Feed Industries, Cooperatives, Corporate bodies, NGO’s, Private Institutions and abroad.

• IDA - Indian Dairy Association is the apex body of the dairy industry in India. The members are from the cooperatives, MNCs, corporate bodies, private institutions, educational institutions, government and public sector units. IDA functions very closely with the dairy producers, professionals & planners, scientists & educationists, institutions and organisations associated with the development of dairying in India.

• Dairy Technology Society Of India - The Society provides opportunities for the dissemination and exchange of knowledge and ideas gained from experiments and experience through meetings, conferences and seminars, and for collaboration between persons and/or institutions interested in research and planning and those in production and professing.

Placement/Career Guidance/Training Cell - NDRI, Karnal has an active placement cell which assists the students with the Summer Training as well as Final placements. Some of the recruiters are Modern Dairies Ltd., Mother Dairy, Delhi, Nestle India Ltd., Perfetti India Ltd etc. Dr. Latha Sabikhi (Senior Scientist, Dairy Technology Division) is currently the Chairperson of the Placement Cell. She may be contacted for placement queries at - [email protected]

Staff Club - The Staff Club exists in the institute for recreation of staff and their family members. The membership of NDRI Staff Club is open to all the regular staff members of the institute on payment of membership fee which is decided in the executive committee of the club on year to year basis.

Technology Business Incubator (TBI) - Globally, the concept of Technology Incubation has proven to reduce the failure rate of new start up companies. In doing so, they create employment and assist local and regional economic development. TBI is designed to support and nurture industries in the area of Dairy and Food Processing, Feed Technology, Dairy Farming, Fish farming, Apiculture & Honey Processing, Biofertilizers, biopesticides & Panchgavya products based on dung and urine. TBI is located in National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), a source of technology and knowledge. Locating TBI in country’s premier Dairy Research Institute reduces the time lag between technology development and its commercialization. For more info - http://www.ndritbi.com/
 
Services Offered:

• Entrepreneurship Awareness Camps.
• Entrepreneurship Development programmes.
• Provides specialized services to existing SMEs in the region.
• Various training programmes including short term courses.
• Incubation of start up ventures and mentoring.

Achievements

• NDRI has the distinction of producing first test tube buffalo calf of the world, 'Pratham', using a highly sophisticated technique of in vitro fertilization and Embryo Transfer. The technology has now been extended to develop goat as a model animal for advanced research in transgenic animal production. The country's first in vitro goat kid was born at NDRI. Research in animal physiology has helped in detailed endocrine profiling of animals to ameliorate heat stress, better reproduction management and inducing lactation which essentially augment the production level of animals.

• A kit developed for the detection of various adulterants in milk is in high demand among dairymen across the country. Recently a bio-sensor based kit for detection of antibiotic-drug residues in milk, and also a test of detection of the presence of synthetic milk in normal milk have been evolved. The Institute maintains a National Collection of Dairy Cultures (NCDC) that supplies starter cultures to the industry and institutions across the country.

• The Institute possesses an elite herd of over 1600 dairy animals including cattle, buffaloes and goats which caters to breed improvement projects and other research activities. The highest peak yields of 44 and 46.5 kg have been recorded in Karan-Swiss and Karan-Fries cows, respectively. Through consistent selection, the indigenous cattle breeds, Sahiwal and Tharparkar, have been improved and the highest peak yields of 23 and 19.5 kg milk per day have been obtained in these two breeds, respectively. In Murrah buffaloes, the breed that is known to be the best in the world, the peak milk yield of 22.5 kg in a day has been achieved. A modern Milking Parlor System and Shelter Management System set up recently at the Livestock Farm serve as demonstration models for the progressive farmers and provide infrastructure for conducting research on various aspects of milk production system, reproduction behaviour, growth profile and nutritional requirements for elite milch breeds.

• The nutritive value of poor quality roughages and agro-industrial by-products used as animal feed has been improved significantly by employing chemical and physical methods. Improved varieties of fodder crops and their cultivation methods have been developed at the Institute. Recently, wheat as a dual-purpose crop has been successfully tested at this Institute.

• Several Agro-Industrial byproducts (e.g., apple pomace, Soyapulp, undecorticated cottonfeed cake, deoiled recebran, mohowa cake, salseed meal, whey powder, neem cake etc.) have been evaluated for their utilization in dairy rations.