NRDC Transfers Milk Mastitis Detection Tech to Navshali Innovations for Dairy Sector

In a pivotal move for India's massive dairy industry, the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) has officially licensed its indigenously developed Milk Mastitis Detection System to Navshali Innovations Private Limited. This strategic technology transfer, finalized on June 13, 2026, aims to equip Indian dairy farmers with rapid, on-field diagnostic capabilities to combat mastitis, a disease costing the sector an estimated 13,000 crore annually due to significant reductions in milk yield and quality. Mastitis, particularly its elusive subclinical form, has long been a silent drain on the livelihoods of millions of small-scale farmers who underpin India's position as the world's largest milk producer. Studies suggest nearly 40-50% of dairy cattle in India suffer from some form of mastitis, often undetected until severe damage occurs, leading to compromised milk safety and increased antibiotic usage. This agreement with Navshali Innovations, a Karnal-based firm, signals a concerted push by public sector research, spearheaded by CSIR-CEERI Pilani, to bridge the critical gap between laboratory innovation and real-world agricultural challenges. Navshali Innovations is now tasked with scaling production and ensuring widespread accessibility of this crucial agri-tech solution, making it available to individual farmers and cooperatives across the nation. The successful deployment of this system could not only significantly enhance dairy productivity and cattle health but also set a precedent for accelerating the commercialization of other indigenous scientific breakthroughs, reinforcing India's commitment to technology-driven agricultural advancement and rural economic growth. The immediate next steps will involve Navshali's focused efforts on market penetration and user training, a critical factor for adoption in a largely unorganized sector.