Safe food does not begin at the point of testing; it begins with the people who grow food and care for animals, according to an op-ed published in The Hindu BusinessLine on August 16, 2026. The column, written by Kishore Indukuri, Founder & Managing Director of Sid's Farm, argues that testing and quality checks are only one part of the process, with good farming practices, responsible animal care and knowledgeable, supported farmers forming the foundation.
Dairy's unique food-safety challenge
Milk is highly perishable and quality can be affected at multiple stages, the article explains. Keeping animals healthy is essential, and at times requires the use of antibiotics under veterinary supervision. The key responsibility is ensuring that milk from treated animals does not enter the food chain until the recommended withdrawal period is complete. However, Indukuri notes that farmers often face a difficult situation: if reporting a veterinary treatment means losing income, transparency becomes harder to achieve. The column calls for systems that encourage disclosure rather than penalising it.
Compensating transparency
The proposed mechanism is clear: segregate milk from treated animals and ensure farmers are fairly compensated during the withdrawal period. This allows transparency to become part of everyday practice rather than an exception. According to the column, when farmers know they will not be penalised for being honest, everyone benefits — the farmer, the dairy company and ultimately the consumer.
Antibiotic reduction through prevention
The most effective way to reduce antibiotic use, the article states, is to reduce the situations that require it. Mastitis is one of the most common reasons antibiotics are administered in dairy animals. The column highlights that many cases can be prevented through:
- better herd management
- regular veterinary check-ups
- improved milking hygiene
- early identification of disease
These are practical measures that improve animal welfare while reducing dependence on antibiotics, and preventive care strengthens the quality and safety of the milk that reaches consumers.
| Dairy safety stage | Challenge | Response proposed in the column |
|---|---|---|
| Animal health | Antibiotic use under veterinary supervision | Keep milk from treated animals out of the food chain until the withdrawal period is complete |
| Farmer economics | Reporting treatment can mean lost income | Ensure farmers are fairly compensated during the withdrawal period |
| Milk handling | Perishability at multiple stages | Segregate milk from treated animals |
| Disease control | Mastitis drives antibiotic use | Preventive herd management, check-ups, milking hygiene and early disease identification |
Investing in the smallholder base
Empowering farmers goes beyond fair prices, Indukuri wrote. It also means equipping them with better knowledge, access to veterinary guidance and training in areas such as animal nutrition, herd management and record-keeping. These investments help farmers improve productivity while adopting practices that contribute to safer food. The column notes that with nearly 90 per cent of India's farmers being small and marginal landholders, strengthening their capabilities is essential for the future of Indian agriculture. Across the country, cooperatives and private organisations have demonstrated that when farmers receive consistent guidance and support, they are more confident in adopting better practices and maintaining higher standards of quality.
Safe food begins with farmers who have the knowledge, capability and support to do the right thing every day.
Improving food safety is not about asking more of farmers, the column concludes; it is about giving them the tools, knowledge and confidence to succeed. For dairy processors and commodity buyers tracking milk quality, the article positions farm-level investments — not just end-point testing — as the lever that strengthens the entire food system and helps safer food reach every home.
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