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Mechanization in Milky Way Project: Embracing Electric Milking Machines

– By Balgopal Sigdel

While astronomers in NASA are using high-tech telescopes to explore the vastness of the Milky Way, a different kind of technological revolution is taking place in Kamalamai Municipality, Nepal. Here, smallholder farmers involved in the Milky Way Project are embracing a different technological marvel—electric milking machines.

The single-bucket, single-cluster electric milking machine promises a new dawn of efficiency and simplicity, easing the laborious task of milking. Initially, when the project introduced the milking machine, families were skeptical. They believed such technology was only feasible on larger commercial farms, not at the household level.

Determined to verify the machine’s potential, members of the Milky Way Project team visited Chitwan district before introducing the technology. They observed the machine’s performance and the adoption practices of local farmers. The findings were promising, instilling confidence that the technology could indeed be effective in Kamalamai Municipality.

To ensure the farmers were comfortable and proficient with the new technology, the Milky Way Project team conducted a week-long training on the effective use of the machine.

Sujana Subedi, a member of the Tallo Rajpani Self-Help Group, and her husband Nilhari Dahal were the first to embrace the change. Dahal shared his experiences, noting, “Milking with this machine takes an average of 5-7 minutes. By hand, I can milk at a similar speed, but it takes my wife over 10 minutes. We are still getting used to the machine, which is why we are cautious about fully transitioning from hand milking.”

The couple’s farm is home to six Holstein crossbreed lactating cows and one Holstein heifer. Among the six lactating cows, five quickly adapted to the new technology. However, one resistant cow still preferred the traditional method, while the rest of the herd embraced the change.

Sujana Subedi further added, “My husband used to suffer from hand fatigue while milking. Now, with the machine, he is happy as it requires much less effort. This is his first time using a machine to milk the animals, which might be why the cattle are holding back 300-500ml of milk. The cattle are not used to the machine yet, but once they are, we should be able to get all the milk.”

Over time, the project aims to expand the benefits of the electric milking machine. The long-term goal is to reduce labor, improve efficiency, and enhance the overall health and well-being of both farmers and cattle.

As we gaze up at the Milky Way through the telescope, we are not just seeing stars but also marveling at the grand narrative that has been written for us. Similarly, the story of the Milky Way Project is more than just a technological intervention; it’s a beacon of hope, illuminating a path toward prosperity and ease for smallholder farmers.