*6.4.2 Ensured supply of dairy farm machinery*

The most updated dairy farm machinery and equipment are available in the country now. Many commercial companies are either preparing the required equipment at local market level or import from abroad. These companies not only provide inputs but also services and consultancy. The important farm machinery and farm structures may include, but not limited to, dairy sheds and layouts, milking machines, lines and parlors, milk chillers and utensils, forage harvesters, choppers and inoculants mixtures, and hay and silage bailers (based on the data provided by the sector).

### **6.5 Farmers' education on modern management practices**

 As mentioned earlier, several farmers education programs related to dairy farming are in place now. In the recent past, Engro Foods Ltd. started and completed a large farmers and extension worker training program titled "Big Push," in which they trained a total of 12,000 Basic Livestock Workers for basic dairy farming, keeping in hygienic, and clean milk production (http://www.engrofoods. com/bigpush.html: accessed October 15, 2018). Among those trained, 750 persons got special training as livestock extension workers (LEW), artificial insemination technicians, and farm supervisors and village milk collectors. This program was completed in collaboration with Punjab Skills Development Foundation during a period of one and half year (February, 2017–June, 2018).

Similarly, Nestle Pakistan Ltd. has taken several initiatives to rural development by taking several steps to increase the knowledge and skill level of farmers for enhanced and good quality milk production and quality of life (https://www. nestle.pk/asset-library/documents/financial\_reports/csv\_report\_2016.pdf: accessed October 19, 2018). The company's initiatives positively impacted the lives of small dairy farmers by imparting training to around 77,000 farmers through farmer help camps. Nestle, through its famous Dairy and Rural Development Foundation (DRDF) trained 48,600 dairy farmers and 500 commercial farmers and farm managers on best dairy farm management practices, trained and established 2450 AITs, trained and established 7000 Women LEWs as entrepreneurs serving farmers in 10,000 villages in South Punjab. They started a street theater and mass awareness campaign, which reached approximately 3 million dairy households to increase knowledge of best dairy farm practices. They upgraded 118 local farms to model farms to meet rural communities' requirements and now serving as service and supply hubs for small farmers.
