A Transformative Step Toward Modern Dairy Excellence
As Nepal’s dairy sector continues to expand and modernize, many farms are transitioning from traditional practices to more systematic and scientifically managed operations. Among these growing enterprises is Green Yard Agro Farm Pvt. Ltd., located in Katahari-7, Thalaha, Morang. The farm, which started its journey with only 20 cows, has grown remarkably over the years. Today, it manages more than 210 cows, 30 buffalo and over 50 goats, making it one of the region’s rapidly developing dairy establishments.
Growth brings new opportunities, but it also demands stronger systems, especially in food safety, cattle health, hygiene management and product quality. To support the farm during this transition, Planeteer Innovative and Research Consultancy Pvt. Ltd. organized a two-day Food Safety Management System (FSMS) training under the Prabidhi Sanga Sahaj Pahuch (प्रविधि संग सहज पहुँच) program. Held on Mangsir 29 and 30, 2081, the training was designed with a clear purpose by equipping the farm’s diverse workforce with the practical knowledge and scientific principles required to operate a modern dairy facility.
This article provides an in depth look at how the training strengthened the farm’s operations, improved milk quality, enhanced cattle health, empowered workers and prepared the farm for sustainable growth in Nepal’s evolving dairy landscape.
A Training Tailored for Real Dairy Farm Needs
Green Yard Agro Farm’s operations involve various departments from milking parlor and silage preparation to cleaning crews, management, transportation support and medicine administration. With such a wide range of activities happening simultaneously, consistency in hygiene and food safety practices becomes essential.
Understanding these needs, the training team, which included experts in veterinary science, agriculture, food technology and nutrition designed a curriculum that balanced theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on demonstrations. Instead of overwhelming participants with technical jargon, trainers started from the basics and gradually built up to more advanced concepts. This approach ensured that even participants with minimal technical background could understand and apply the lessons in the field.
Over two days, the team guided workers through interconnected topics such as sanitation, disease prevention, cattle nutrition, silage preparation, milk quality testing, packaging systems, market linkages and product innovation. These sessions offered clear, actionable techniques that the workers could immediately implement during their daily routines and correct their mistakes.
Improving Hygiene: The Foundation of Safe Milk Production
The training began with a strong focus on sanitation and hygiene, recognizing that milk is highly sensitive to contamination and requires strict cleanliness throughout every step from milking to processing and storage. Trainers demonstrated how simple lapses, such as unclean hands or improperly washed equipment, could bring harmful bacteria into milk and compromise quality of dairy product.
Participants learned correct cleaning methods for dairy equipment, including milk cans, pipes, utensils, working surfaces and storage containers. The step-by-step cleaning process wash, scrub, rinse, sanitize and air dry was explained in detail, emphasizing why each step matters. Workers were shown how to differentiate between food-contact and non food contact surfaces, how to store sanitizing chemicals safely, and how to maintain cleanliness even during busy milking hours.
Personal hygiene was another important component. Staff learned how wearing clean uniforms, tying hair properly, trimming nails, and washing hands at the right moments contribute to preventing contamination. These foundational lessons significantly improved daily hygiene practices across the farm.
Disease Prevention and Cattle Health: Building a Healthy Herd
Healthy animals produce safe, nutritious and more milk. For this reason, the training dedicated a full session to disease prevention and cattle health management. Led by the farm’s veterinary trainer, the session covered essential topics such as the identification of common cattle diseases, understanding early warning signs and recognizing unusual animal behavior.
Participants were taught about proper vaccination schedules, medication routines, and the importance of timely record keeping. Through real examples and case studies, trainers highlighted how diseases can spread rapidly within a large herd and how early detection can prevent costly outbreaks.
The session also emphasized barn hygiene, proper waste management, comfortable bedding arrangements, and stress-free handling of cows. Workers discussed how factors like nutrition, water quality, temperature stress and cleanliness influence overall cattle health. This knowledge allows the staff to maintain a healthier herd and reduce veterinary costs in the long run.
Silage Preparation: Ensuring Quality Nutrition for Cows
Silage plays a crucial role in daily cattle nutrition. Poorly prepared or contaminated silage not only lowers productivity but also poses a risk to animal health. Recognizing its importance, the training included an extensive hands-on session on silage preparation and its associated safety concerns.
Participants were introduced to the principles of selecting proper forage, chopping it to the right size, compressing it correctly, and storing it under sealed, anaerobic conditions to prevent spoilage. Trainers used actual silage samples to demonstrate what good silage should look, feel, and smell like. Workers learned how moisture levels affect fermentation, how to prevent mold formation and how to identify spoiled silage before it reaches the cattle.
This session empowered participants to improve the farm’s feed quality, directly contributing to better milk yield and healthier animals.
Milk Quality Analysis: Understanding ISO Standards in Practice
Milk quality is the heart of dairy operations and Green Yard Agro Farm had a strong need to strengthen its testing capabilities. To address this, the training included a highly practical demonstration on ISO-standard milk quality analysis. Workers were guided through essential tests that help identify adulteration, contamination or improper handling.
Participants learned how to perform the lactometer test to measure density, the alcohol test to check protein stability, and pH measurements to assess acidity. Trainers also explained the role of microbial load analysis in determining safety and shelf life. Through hands-on practice, workers developed confidence in evaluating milk quality themselves rather than relying solely on external labs or guesswork.
This knowledge allows the farm to maintain consistent standards and detect problems at an early stage before milk reaches the market.
Strengthening Market Linkages and Encouraging Product Innovation
Producing high-quality milk is essential, but connecting that milk with a reliable market is equally important. The training, therefore, included a session on market linkages and product innovation, designed to expand the farm’s commercial opportunities.
Participants explored various market channels available to dairy farms, ranging from cooperatives and processors to local retailers and direct consumers. Trainers explained how product quality, packaging, branding, and consumer trust influence market success. They encouraged the farm to explore value-added dairy products such as yogurt, flavored milk, butter, paneer, ghee and fermented drinks. Those are the items that can significantly increase revenue compared to raw milk sales.
This session helped workers understand the importance of diversifying their product offerings and thinking creatively about how their milk can generate higher value.
Hands-On Training for Milk Safety and Dairy Product Handling
In the final practical session, workers were guided through real scenarios involving milk handling, storage, and packaging. They learned how temperature control affects bacterial growth, how to identify early signs of spoilage, and how cross-contamination can occur during bottling or storage.
Trainers demonstrated proper techniques for handling milk from the moment it leaves the cow to the moment it enters storage tanks or containers. Workers practiced cleaning equipment, testing samples, and evaluating milk based on physical and sensory characteristics. This reinforced everything they had learned and helped them apply the lessons confidently in real operations.
Integrated Skill Development: Building a Modern Dairy Workforce
Throughout the training, participants were encouraged to think scientifically about their tasks. This included learning basic research and development (R&D) skills, such as adjusting feed composition, observing changes in milk yield, and keeping records for future improvement. They also practiced sensory evaluation, where they assessed product characteristics such as taste, texture, color, and aroma using sensory cards.
Trainers covered essential dairy technology principles such as pasteurization, fermentation, storage, and contamination control. By blending these scientific concepts with hands-on experience, the training helped the workforce develop a deeper understanding of how and why dairy processes work the way they do.
These skills prepare the farm not only for current operations but also for future expansion, modern product lines and higher market standards.
Major Outcomes of the Training
Multiple positive outcomes emerged from the 2day program. One of the most significant improvements was the reduction of contamination risks, thanks to better sanitation and hygiene practices adopted by workers. Participants also developed a stronger appreciation for cattle health management and recognized how disease prevention directly impacts productivity and profitability.
The training greatly improved operational efficiency, especially in silage preparation and milk quality testing. Workers became more confident in handling equipment, observing safety protocols and maintaining consistent product quality. These improvements ultimately strengthen consumer trust and position Green Yard Agro Farm as a reliable supplier in the local dairy market.
Additionally, discussions on product innovation and market linkages helped the farm explore new opportunities for value addition and future expansion.
Promoting Gender Equality and Inclusion at the Farm
One of the inspiring aspects of this training was its focus on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI). Among the 14 participants, 4 were women, which was an encouraging sign of growing female involvement in dairy operations. These women actively took part in silage preparation, milk quality analysis, hygiene management, and product innovation activities.
Moreover, around 10 additional women and 8 men were working on the farm during the training, taking care of the cows and handling daily operations that cannot pause even for a day. Since the farm manages over 200 cows, continuous care is essential, and not all workers could be present in the sessions. The individuals chosen to attend represented their departments and were expected to share the knowledge with their colleagues.
The training encouraged equal opportunities and highlighted the importance of inclusive participation in agriculture. By empowering workers from diverse backgrounds, Green Yard Agro Farm builds a more resilient, skilled, and balanced workforce.
Conclusion
The FSMS training organized by Planeteer Innovative for Green Yard Agro Farm was more than a knowledge-sharing event, it was a transformative step towards building a safer, more efficient, and future ready dairy operation. Participants, many of whom were self taught before, gained clear scientific understanding, practical skills and renewed confidence in their roles.
From sanitation and cattle health to silage preparation, milk quality testing, and product innovation, every aspect of the training contributed to improving the farm’s sustainability. With strong leadership, a growing workforce and scientific guidance, Green Yard Agro Farm is now better equipped to meet market standards, ensure food safety and continue expanding responsibly.
This training sets an inspiring example of how capacity-building initiatives can support Nepal’s dairy sector in achieving long term growth, better product quality and improved livelihoods for workers. The journey toward excellence has begun, and Green Yard Agro Farm is well on its way to becoming a model for modern dairy farming in Nepal.
