'Future Of Food Is Transparent & Tech-Enabled': Dr. Chetan Narake Talks About Using AI To Boost Dairy Production In India

Trade Advisor to Ministry Of Commerce, Thailand Government, Director at Gokul, Kolhapur, member of Dairy Development Board of India, Dr. Chetan Narake is more than just another finance guy.  He is an advocate for growth and innovation. Recently, he presented the Government of India with a proposal to use AI in dairy to increase the produce by 20 to 30 percent.

Excerpts from an interview:

You’ve had a successful corporate career, particularly in finance and operations. But now, you're focused on how AI can help increase milk production. What sparked this shift?

Honestly, it started with curiosity. I began exploring how AI could help in agriculture, specifically dairy. If you think about it, AI is already in our lives. Your smartwatch, for example, collects your heart rate, sleep cycle, steps—then interprets that data and gives you suggestions to improve your health. That’s AI: processing large amounts of data and recommending actions. It’s not about replacing people; it's about helping them do things better.

So how does that apply specifically to dairy and livestock?

Good question. Let’s start from the source—the animal itself. At the animal level, focusing on health and productivity. Using gadgets like chips and bovine belts, we collect data—body temperature, jaw movement while chewing (which influences blood circulation and milk output), eating habits, etc. For example, AI can detect when a cow is in heat by analyzing changes in body temperature and movement—crucial for optimal artificial insemination.

How do you plan to collect this data? Are these chips internal or external?

It depends. There are internal chips for core temperature, but we also use wearable tech like neck belts or leg bands. For example, we use a bovine belt to detect when the animal is in heat, which is crucial for artificial insemination. We monitor their rest, activity, and feeding patterns. All this data flows into a digital platform—just like a fitness tracker for humans.

What about their diet? Can AI help improve that too?

Absolutely. This is called the Ration Balancing Program. Based on the animal’s data, we tailor its intake—like 13 kg of green fodder, 1.5 kg of dry fodder, and 0.5 kg of concentrate feed per day, along with supplements like zinc. AI ensures that what they eat is balanced, efficient, and contributes to better health and milk yield. Farmers input feeding data into the system, which then gives insights.

How does this help with animal diseases?

A great example is mastitis, a common disease that causes over a billion-dollar loss in India’s dairy sector annually. With proper monitoring—temperature, activity, etc.—we can detect early symptoms and take action before it's too late.

So all this data flows into an app or a platform?

Yes. An application processes all this input—from health to feeding to movement—and gives actionable suggestions. This leads to better care, timely insemination, and ultimately, increased yield.

What about post-milking? Does AI continue to play a role?

That’s the second major part—milk supply chain tracking. After milking, data about SNF (Solids-Not-Fat), fat content, and bacterial count is recorded at the village collection center. From there, it travels through the chain—to the bulk milk cooler, where sensors again check bacterial counts and temperature. Then it's pasteurized and sent to processing units, all while the data continues to be logged.

How affordable is this for a regular Indian farmer?

That’s the real challenge. Most farmers have 1-2 animals. So yes, affordability is key. My approach is to work with the government, not as a private player. I'm advocating for subsidized AI tools like bovine belts, sensors, and chips—because if the government wants reliable supply chain data, they need to invest in it.

And this plan you presented in Patna—it’s for all of India, not just Western Maharashtra?

Absolutely. But implementation can start regionally. Some states like Maharashtra are ahead in water availability and land productivity. Others may need more support. That’s why we need government backing—to make this scalable.

Let’s go back to your personal journey. After your corporate CFO roles, did you study agriculture formally?

I’ve always worked closely with milk-related sectors. At Mars Inc., I worked with chocolates (milk-based), at Pedigree, with livestock nutrition, and later with infant formula at Mead Johnson. I also have a master’s in process engineering and an IT background, so combining tech and dairy came naturally. Now, I’m on the board of the Indian Dairy Association (IDA), working with stakeholders across the value chain—from producers to processors to policymakers.

What exactly is the Indian Dairy Association's role?

The IDA represents the entire dairy ecosystem—farmers, processors, equipment manufacturers, packaging experts, labs, etc. We consult with the government. For example, when milk cans were being taxed at 18% GST, we argued it’s a household item, not a commercial one—and got it reduced to 12%. So, we’re a bridge between the industry and policymakers.

Are you using AI on your own farms today?

Yes. On my land, I use moisture sensors and soil nutrient monitors to measure nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. This lets me optimize fertilizer use and reduce costs. It’s precision farming.

Where do technologies like blockchain fit in?

Great question. Blockchain ensures data integrity. For example, a consumer in Mumbai buying Gokul milk can scan a QR code and know where the milk came from, what the animal ate, bacterial counts, and transportation history. Blockchain locks this data—it can’t be tampered with, unlike editable QR codes. This transparency is crucial for food traceability, which is the future of agriculture.

So, consumers will benefit too, not just farmers.

Exactly. Today’s consumer cares about where their food comes from. Whether it’s milk or mushrooms or meat, they want to know the origin, quality, and sustainability of the product. AI and blockchain make that possible.

One last thing—you mentioned A2 milk earlier. What’s the difference between A1 and A2 milk?

A2 milk comes from specific breeds of cows (like Gir or Sahiwal in India) that produce milk with only the A2 beta-casein protein. A1 milk, common in many foreign breeds, includes the A1 protein which some studies link to digestion issues. A2 milk is often considered easier to digest and more "natural" for human consumption. AI can help track and ensure breeding programs maintain pure A2 lines and trace it to the consumer.

This is fascinating and clearly close to your heart. Thank you for sharing such an insightful vision of the future of dairy in India.

Thank you. The future of food is transparent, traceable, and tech-enabled. That’s where we’re headed.

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