UNIT 1 MILK COLLECTION AND

TRANSPORTATION
Structure
1.0 Objectives
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Planning Milk Collection
1.3 Organizing Milk Collection
1.4 Containers for Milk Collection
1.5 Transportation of Raw Milk
1.6 Let Us Sum Up
1.7 Key Words
1.8 Some Useful Books
1.9 Answers to Check Your Progress

1.0 OBJECTIVES
After reading this unit, we shall be able to:
 outline the factor involved in planning and developing milk collection structure;
 indicate steps to be followed in organizing a milk collection system;
 specify various types of milk collection system;
 enumerate type of containers at different structural points of collection;
 state needs and modes of transporting milk.

1.1 INTRODUCTION
Milk production, in most of the countries particularly, developing countries, is confined
to rural/hinterland areas; while demand for milk and dairy products is mostly urban
in nature due to obvious reasons. Availability of inputs required for production of
milk is cheaply and conveniently available in rural areas, whereas densely populated
potential consumers are in urban areas. In addition, rural population, in general, face
lot of marketing problems due to scanty and scattered nature of milk production,
habitants and unavailability of proper infrastructure. Hence, milk has to be collected,
transported and marketed from villages to towns/cities for better return.

The milk collection system, chosen must reflect the local conditions in terms of
technical competency, cost, infrastructure and climate. Milk collection from producers
through collection points is done mostly in rural areas with a large number of small
suppliers and thus, eliminates a need for their own chilling and storage facilities.
Collection points must comply with the same hygienic requirements as the dairies
in addition to infra-structural facilities of quick transportation. In no case, milk after
milking should take more than 4 hours, particularly in temperate countries, to reach
to a point where it is chilled promptly to less than 4 °C.

1.2 PLANNING MILK COLLECTION

Well-adapted handling techniques for milk and dairy products are being practiced
in most of the countries since long. Thus, under similar environmental conditions, a
successfully adapted model of milk collection of some other countries, found
economically sound and technically reliable, can be taken up cautiously; of course,
if required, with certain modifications in light of local existing conditions and 5
Milk Reception developing features. The ultimate aim of every collection system is to provide
regularly “safe” milk for the processing units and/or the customers to meet their
demand at economical cost. Important considerations are given here.

i. Climatic Conditions
Climatic conditions like temperature and humidity with sharp seasonal variations
play an important role in planning a suitable milk collection system. The climatic
conditions of a centre or area remain persistent which cannot be changed by
human being at large. Milk collection structural requirements of a tropical country
will be altogether different from that of cold one. High climatic temperature and
humidity conditions are very much conducive for the growth of micro-organisms.
Sharp seasonal variations also lead to unpredictable situation for an established
collection system to compete. Special components are needed in such conditions to
prevent milk spoilage. Usually, a chilling component needs to be installed at collection
point, if not done at production point, to bring down the temperature of milk to
below 40C within 4 hours of after milking. Therefore, a milk collection system must
always be well adapted keeping in view the climatic conditions of the locality and
region.

ii. Development Features

Planning of a collection system must be done in view of the actual stage of
development which is subject to a change with the development of that locality and
area. Development features include:
 Communication network,
 Availability of technical know-how for maintenance and replacement of
equipment,
 Education and skill level,
 Purchasing power of a big segment of the population,
 Working and earning opportunities for the rural population,
 Basic amenities and infrastructure particularly transport.

iii. Inherent Characteristics of Milk

Because of specific nature of milk, a collection system needs to:
 provide a suitable container (utensils, can, tank or tanker) to effect carriage,
storage and process,
 give fair measure (volume or weight) for payment,
 test (platform, laboratory tests) for microbiological and chemical quality, including
adulteration, to avoid spoilage,
 inhibit microbial development by speedy transit, refrigeration and processing.

iv. Size of Dairy Plant

Milk collections largely involve the provision of milk for handling only a few hundred
kilograms, ranging from 1000 Kgs to 5,000 Kgs per day depending upon the availability
of energy, water, equipment, technical and managerial know-how. If collection has
to provide milk for rural processing units, several systems can be appropriate. The
system should consider time gap between milking and chilling along with cost of
these operations. Depending upon the potentiality of milk production, suitable capacity
and size of reception and chilling facilities should be planned.

v. Density of Supply in the Milk-shed

If milk is supplied to large dairy plants over a long distance from the production site,
a milk collection centres are established to collect sufficient milk to justify a call
for lorry or tanker. Intermediate collection points are more likely to be required
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when milk has to be collected from a low-density production area at a long distance. Milk Collection and
Transportation
Large collection center will supply more directly to the factory.

vi. Scattered and Scanty Milk Production

In rural India, milk production is largely a subsidiary activity to agriculture. Small
farmers and landless labourers usually maintain one to three milch animals. As a
result, small quantity of milk is produced. This situation makes the task of milk
collection complex. A multi stage milk collection system is considered to be
advantageous.

vii. Distance to Dairy Plant/Market

The rate, at which milk deteriorates in warm climate, excludes transport of milk
over long distances. Where long transport of raw milk is unavoidable; speedy
transit, refrigeration and processing is necessary to inhibit microbial spoilage. These
may include a collection point, a first stage collection centre and an intermediate
depot/ point to chill and bulk milk for onward dispatch by long distance tanker to
a processing plant. Milk collection via such a multi stage collection system is
naturally much more costly.

viii. Type of Products to be Manufactured

The marketing must take into account the perishable nature of the product. Immediate
conversion, into more stable and marketable products, is the time-honoured solution.
After processing, dairy products have always a much better keeping quality.

The quality of milk reaching dairy is a deciding factor for manufacturing a product.
The collection structure is decided on the basic of types of products to be prepared
in the dairy.
Check Your Progress 1
1. Why do you need planning of a milk collection system?
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2. Name the considerations taken into account in planning milk collection?
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1.3 ORGANIZING MILK COLLECTION

After planning milk collection, steps are taken to organize collection system. The
first step is to undertake extensive surveys in the milk shed area. Availability of milk
at various collection points is ascertained based on the number of animal, future
potential of milk availability and the presence of competitors. This is followed by
route planning and finalization of location for collection and chilling center. Since
organization involves interests of producer, processor and consumer, the collection
system must be well organized and operated under tight and well controlled manner.

i. Objectives
Milk collection system is organized with an objective to collect sufficient quantity
of milk for processing plant and to ensure: 7
Milk Reception  accurate measurement of producers’ deliveries,
 receipt of unadulterated, clean, hygienic and good quality milk.
 regular payment to producers and giving incentive for quality production.
 economic collection and efficient transportation to dairy plant.

ii. Steps
To organize a good milk collection system, the following steps are considered:

Milk survey and location of milk collection/milk-shed area: Milk survey of

is done to establish its potential of milk in the area. Two types of milk survey are
required. First is a broad milk shed survey with the aim of defining the likely overall
potential of the milk-shed area, the possible general location of collection centers
and likely routing for collection vehicles.

In second type, a more detailed comprehensive survey is carried out to ensure the
worthwhile location of a collection point. On the basis of number of milkmilch
animals, the number of potential producers is established; current milk production
and products made are estimated and likely potential in association of other
agricultural activities is assessed. A meeting of potential producers may be called
and possibility to form a producers’ cooperative or association of milk suppliers
should be discussed.

Establishment of a collection point: Having done the survey on milk potential

and possible location of milk collection points in a milk shed area, actions are to be
taken to establish the milk collection centers, acquire sites, erect necessary buildings
and install the equipment. The collection point will be established at a convenient
location, usually central to the potential suppliers and close proximity to the access
appropriate road system for onward transportation of milk to the dairy. Availability
of adequate and reliable power supply and potable water would be additional
requirements if considered for establishing a refrigerated bulk tank and developing
some cooling facilities at the centre. Security arrangement to prevent loss of items,
an office to work and keep records on supplies, a laboratory for sample testing and
housing facilities for inputs like chemicals and medicines, feeds and equipment can
also be provided.

Deciding a milk collection route: In most cases, sending milk directly from
collection centre to main dairy or chilling centre is neither convenient nor economical.
Hence, a proper route planning is done taking into account milk availability, permissible
route length, road access and village connectivity, and distance of collection points
from the site of chilling/dairy plant. The economic route design has a great impact
on the progress of milk shed, milk quality and procurement cost. Increase in the
cost of milk, on account of quality deterioration or less capacity utilization of
vehicle, has direct impact on the total cost. Hence, the following information are
needed in deciding a milk collection route:
 Details of milk shed area with respect to number of collection points and pattern
of expected quality of milk to be collected throughout the year at individual
points.
 Geographical map of the milk shed area indicating road, river and railways.
 Distance map of collection centre and milk producing villages.
 Availability of type of transport vehicles.
 Expected minimum and maximum time required to carry milk by special route
vehicle to the chilling/dairy sites.

Management of organization: Management of organization should be responsible

to appoint the staff to collection center.
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 i) Overall management control: Overall management control will depend Milk Collection and
Transportation
upon and is directly related to the management of the main/central dairy. This
may be run by Government or an appointed parasitical dairy authority, a
private company or by a producer cooperative. The central management will
also manage the collection centers, although, perhaps, by delegation, Thus,
the overall management authority of the collection system will supervise the
collection points, organize the transport for them, give services and management
back-up, provide regular payment and organize production requisites and
extension services; generally supporting the collection points. A positive
approach of the central management to the development of a collection
system is vital and for this, central management must include manager
procurement as member in a senior position and give attention to his complaints
or advice.
Taking the dairy industry worldwide, organizations of producers are the
dominant agencies in the overall management control of development of
dairying. This may work as cooperatives or association or companies. The
full participation of suppliers can be regarded as vital at a collection point.
ii) Collection centre management and staffing: The organization within a
collecting centre is a function of its size. A small village society may consist
of a management committee of the cooperative with a chairman and secretary.
The secretary may be the only full time member staff, assisted by part time
workers. At the time of collection, they will receive and record the milk
collected and carry out simple testing.

A large centre, might be having a refrigerated bulk tank and may employ several
staff under a manager. The number will depend on size of a unit and the range of
activities carried out for organizing any collection centre. Three important points
are:
 Responsibilities and the tasks of these employees have to be clearly defined.
 Proper training is provided in the form of short courses for a few days.
 A close supervisory control: A group of centres will be placed under a manager
at the dairy, making regular visits and applying close supervisory control.

Operating procedures: Management organizations have to set the operating

procedures at a centre, including measurement, quality testing, recording, onward
transportation and payments.

Operating stage at collection centre starts with reception of milk from the suppliers.
At this stage, milk is graded and tested for acceptance or rejection. Accepted milk
is measured, recorded, sampled and analysed for quantity and quality on which
suppliers are paid. The centre records should be carefully kept in duplicate with the
total checked at the dairy and any discrepancy carefully investigated. A record of
test results will also be kept. Check tests at the dairy may be carried out periodically
and comparisons are made with individual results.

The milk, once accepted, is stored, perhaps only for an hour or so prior to dispatch.
Milk should be kept in the shade in water cooling system or in a large centre, where
available, refrigerated storage is done. The supplies are then dispatched to the
dairy/chilling centre. Transportation schedules should be carefully planned to minimize
time and cost.

Cleanliness of the containers used for milking, carrying, storage, and measuring,
etc. should be strictly maintained. Chemicals and detergents may be supplied by the
organization.

Payment to the producers should be made at mutual agreed intervals regularly by

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Milk Reception the centre staff. An acceptable accounting system has to be devised, subject to
regular audit. Complaints should be investigated rapidly. Periodic meeting of
producers should be arranged. Confidence on the part of all involved is essential.

Supervision and control: Supervision and control of the collection centres include
supervisory visit, check measurement, testing and audit.

Five to fifteen collection centres are grouped under a field supervisor, working
under procurement manager. The field supervisor will visit each centre unannounced
at least two or three times a month to supervise a daily collection, review procedures
and check stocks, records, any cash and accounts. Periodic meetings of producers
may be conducted and complaint resolved. The field supervisor may also be
responsible for building up an area, organizing new collection points.

Supervision and control will also be carried out through the continuous surveillance
of the physical records of the producers’ supplies, deliveries and test results. Any
anomalies that are perceived would immediately be investigated. Control will also
be applied through financial records, costing and audit. Costing give a check on
business efficiency with comparison being made among centres. Regular audit is
vital to ensure there is no misuse of funds.

iii. Producers Participation

The producer participation in organized milk collection is vital and necessary,
particularly at the point of first acceptance of milk. Problems such as, short shelf-
life, staleness, heated flavour, developed acidity, measuring and testing results, etc.
very often surface at the point of collection. Under such a situation, producer
association or cooperative is the best type of organization to run a centre and
resolve their suspected problems.

iv. Types of Milk Collection Systems

A number of milk collection system have been developed and are being used
throughout the world to provide market to the milk producers and obtain sufficiency
of milk for processing plant.

Direct from the producer: The individual producer brings milk and delivers to the
dairy plant independently. This practice generally suits the large producers located
near the processing plant. There is no obligation of any kind on either side.

The processor is in daily contact with the milk producers. Quality control can be
performed in the presence of the producer. Adulterations can be dealt with in the
presence of suppliers. The relative nearness and personal contact between producers
and processors is excellent. Additional job opportunities among rural people can be
created.

Dairy has the right to fix the price for milk. Generally low price is offered to
producers. Milk producers are normally exploited. Dairy may deny from taking the
milk on various grounds. There is no assured market for the milk throughout the
year. The dairy because of seasonal variations may not accept all the milk supplied
by the producers. Producers do not get incentive for increasing milk production.
Neither facilities to increase milk production are provided by dairy nor social and
economic needs are taken care of. The profits earned by the dairy are not shared
with milk producers.

Through middlemen: The producers, normally in our countries, are having one or
two milch animals. The milk is produced for the farmer’s family and the surplus
is sold locally or converted into a product. Under this situation, a dealer system
usually arises in which a middleman collects the surplus milk, carries it to the
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processor or to a market in nearby villages or towns and then sells it. Dairy plants Milk Collection and
Transportation
has no direct contact with the actual producers directly. The traditional middleman
acts as agent between the dairy plant and small milk producers. Sometimes, milk
producers are given loan for purchase of milch animals with the agreement that the
milk produced will have to be sold to the lender only on his fixed price. Apparently,
it seems to be simple and flexible system. It is economical as head load, shoulder
sling, bicycle, motorcycle etc. are used as mode of transportation. It saves time of
small milk producers/suppliers. Milk is usually of poor quality. More proximity of
using preservatives, neutralizer etc. Milk could be supplied to limited distance. Price
for the milk received by the producer is very low. Producers do not get any
incentive or help for milk production. Milk producer, generally, remains a debtor.

Through agent or contractors: Some dairies enter into an agreement with the
authorized agents/contractors for the supply of certain quantity of milk for a specific
period. Normally, the price for the milk, its quality and quantity in different seasons
are mutually agreed upon. Other details such as mode of payment, timings,
transportation of milk, settlement of dispute if any and penalties for failure, etc. are
decided at the time of making agreement. Contractors make their own arrangement
to collect, chill and transport the milk in cans, tankers, bulk tanks, etc. by their own
vehicles. Dairy is no way concerned with milk production and management of milk
collection, transportation and incurring expenses on it. Dairy has not to deal with
large number of producers but only a few contractors.

Milk producers are, invariably, exploited by the contractors and the dairy as well.
Quality of milk, in general, is poor, adulterated and fabricated. Once becoming
dependent on the supply of milk by contractors, dairy yields to their dictat. Producers
get very low price for milk and profits are taken by the contractors. Often milk
producers remain debtor to the agent and they do not have freedom to sell their
produce elsewhere. No facilities for increasing milk production nor for the social
enlistment are provided. This system of milk procurement encourages red tapism/
corruption.

Through cooperatives: At the village level, farmers organize themselves in a

cooperative society, which establishes milk collection centres. The society members
deliver milk twice a day to the milk collection centres where milk is weighed/
measured, tested, and price is paid to farmers according to its quantity and quality.
The village society supplies/sells milk to its own district cooperative dairy plant. It
transports milk in cans by truck or by insulated road milk tanker, if there is a chilling
centre. Besides milk collection, the society also provides technical input services
such as artificial insemination, veterinary aids, concentrated cattle feed and fodder
seeds, and counselling to society members to enhance milk production.

Unlike the other systems of procurement, the milk producer is the owner of the
dairy. He has the right to decide the price of milk and also to get the share of profit
made by the dairy. This system gives self-reliance to the producers for solving their
problems in a collective manner. This is a foolproof system to eliminate all the
demerits of other types of milk collection.

Directly from dairy/chilling plants: Improvement in refrigeration and transportation

facilities has made possible to procure milk in bulk quantities from distant places.
One dairy situated at thousand kilometers away can get milk from another dairy in
good condition. The milk is either chilled or processed and chilled to a temperature
just above 4°C and transported through road/rail tankers (insulated or refrigerated)
depending upon the distance and volume of milk. Milk at the receiving dairy is
usually reprocessed, packaged and delivered to the consumers. Dairies situated in
big cities like Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, etc. are procuring milk utilizing this
system from neighbouring or far-off states of this country.
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Milk Reception Through Government agencies: Dairying is being considered as an instrument
of social upliftment. Hence, in areas, regions, states or countries, where dairy
development is still under infancy, Govt. is providing all sorts of inputs to help
farmers to adopt dairy farming by providing ready market for their produce i.e.
milk. Under this programme, milk is collected at collection centre, established and
managed by Govt. staff or agency in the village itself. The milk is measured,
tested and paid (daily, weekly, fortnightly or monthly) for the supply. Milk so
collected is either transported to a chilling centre and/or a processing dairy or
market.

Government support encourages milk production in the area. Ready market at

door-steps provides milk production incentive to farmers. Payment on quality and
quantity basis at fixed periodic interval increases reliability and assurance among
the milk producers. Some times loan is also provided for purchasing animals with
subsidies on easy terms to repay.
Check Your Progress 2

1. Write aims of organizing milks collection.

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2. What are the important steps of milk collection organization?
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3. How far is the participation of producers justified in organization of milk collection?
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4. Describe the types of milk collection systems existing in our country?
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1.4 CONTAINERS FOR MILK COLLECTION

Various types of containers made of different materials, sizes, shapes and designs
are used in milk handling at pick up-points, collecting centres, collecting and cooling
centres and finally for delivering to the processing plant.

i. Materials of Construction/Fabrication
Wood, plastics, porcelain, glass, metals etc. are used for fabricating different type
of milk containers of several uses (Table 1.1).

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 Table 1.1: Type of containers and their uses Milk Collection and
Transportation

S.No. Container Uses

1 Wood Little use for milking, milk fermentation
2 Plastic-Food grade quality Little use for milk can, sample bottle,
measure
3 Porcelain Very little use during milking at farm
4 Glass By small scale producers during
delivery
5 Metal On the farm and during milk collection,
transport & storage
Copper plated Household uses in handling milk
Steel Only tin plated steel for short use
Stainless steel Only SS with 18-8 chrome and Nickel,
surface polished. Very much in use for
all type of cans
Aluminium alloys Milk cans
Enamel coated metal Frequently used for handling milk.

ii. Design of Milk Containers

Milk containers must be designed in such a way that all the parts of a container
are accessible for cleaning, sanitization and inspection. The container must give
protection to milk from spoilage, light penetration and contamination. Some small-
scale farmers use cans which were previously used as packaging material for other
foods. Such cans may have joints which are not accessible to washing operations.

iii. Containers on the Farm

Type, size and design of containers depend on the farm operations and size of the
herd. Milking is usually done by hand in small organized farms. Machine milking is
limited to the large-scale government/institutional farms. For hand milking, wide
mouthed buckets made of aluminium or stainless steel are used. In some farms,
small-mouthed milking pails are prevalent.

At the end of the milking process, the herd’s milk is pooled into one or a few
containers. For this, milk cans, bulk tank, refrigerated or insulated vats/tanks with
lid to cover, and similar type of containers may be used. The following is the list
of equipment and containers used at organized farms:
 Milking machine
 Milking pail
 Weight balance, platform type
 Storage milk cans
 Storage vat
 Bulk storage tank
 Can cooling system
 Milk sampling and testing unit
 Bulk tank cooler

iv. Individual Farmers’ Containers

Farmers in rural area have very small holding of milch animals, usually in the range
of 1 to 3 in number. They use the containers varying in size and of materials for 13
Milk Reception milking, storing and carrying to collection point for delivering the milk. Types of
containers in use at farmers’ house are:
 Buckets made of galvanized iron, brass, aluminium, stainless steel, etc.
 Milking pail of galvanized iron.
 Baked earthen pots.
 Pitcher of brass, earth or copper.
 Tumbler, jug etc. of brass, bronze, aluminium, mild steel and stainless steel.
 Second hand package container of tin, plastic etc.
 Measures of bronze, aluminium or chrome plated iron.

It is advisable for individual farmers to acquire containers fabricated from approved

materials and of standard size. Standard size milk cans ranging from a few litres
to the large 40 to 50 litres are available in the market. Farmer organizations should
assist the small-scale farmers to acquire milk containers of the right size and design
for proper protection in terms of keeping quality, chemical composition, microbial
quality, taste and flavour, and also for making handling easier.

Standard containers allow the use of mechanical devices in conveying, tipping,

washing, sterilizing, interchanging of lids, loading and unloading. It is easy to control
the price of standard equipment throughout the market-both nationally and
internationally.

v. Containers at Pick up Points

The individual farmer’s containers are handled at pick up points. At the point,
sometimes milk from many farmers is pooled into fewer and larger containers. Use
of standard containers reduces the time of weighment of milk of the individual
farmers/suppliers.

vi. Containers for Collecting and Cooling Centers

Milk from small-scale farmers is collected daily once or twice, and delivered to a
processing plant. Evening milk is collected, cooled and held cold overnight for
delivery to the processor together with the following day’s morning milk. The final
delivery of milk to the processor is done mainly in 40-50 litre aluminium alloy cans
(may be insulated also) or in bulk tanks.

vii. Containers for Bulk Milk

Bulk milk collection is carried out either in 40-50 litres cans loaded on lorries or pick
up or it may be collected using bulk pick up road tankers where the infrastructure
allows. Single wall cans are usually used. In few cases, insulated cans are used.
After delivery, the processor washes and sanitizes the cans and returns to the
collection and/or cooling centre.

Road bulk pick up tankers are used to transport milk from collection or collection-
cum-cooling centres. A tank may be equipped with a pump and hose, weighing
facilities or a flow meter, sample bottle with an in-built automatic sampling line.
Bulk pick up tankers are usually constructed with an insulation layer of cork,
polystyrene or mineral wool. The tanker may be refrigerated or simply insulated.
Check Your Progress 3
1. Name different types of containers used for milk collection.
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 Milk Collection and
1.5 TRANSPORTATION OF RAW MILK Transportation

The dairy plants organize the collection and transportation of milk in its collection
area. Route plans need to be established and continuously optimized for an optimal
utilization of the transport facilities and keeping transport cost low. Some sorts of
transportation are also required to carry the milk from points of production to the
points of collection, pick up, chilling or processing.

i. Purpose
Milk being perishable commodity, it becomes necessary to transport the fresh raw
milk to the consumer or the chilling/processing plant within 4 hours of its production.
Thus, transportation becomes an integral part of milk collection system. An efficient
and suitable facility is selected on the basis of the raw milk collection as well as
regional requirements.

ii. Factors determining selection

The following factors may be considered in selection of a suitable, efficient and
economic transportation system and transport:

Geographical location: In hilly areas where roads are not developed, small quantity
of milk can be carried out on head for short distance and on shoulder sling for
comparatively longer distance and larger quantity. In places where river is to be
crossed, a boat and road in combination may be used.

Volume of milk: For small quantity and short distance head load, shoulder sling,
cycle, etc; for moderate quantities and longer distance motor cycle, cart, tri-wheeler,
etc. by road can be transported. If quantity of milk is large, milk in cans on truck
& lorries or in road/rail tankers for long distances can be carried.

Variable resources: If the organization is having road/rail tankers and facilities

exist for bulking, chilling, loading and unloading, road/rail tankers may be used. In
absence of such facilities, only milk in cans or tanks on truck or lorries is transported.

Cost of transportation: Cost of transportation should be kept at minimum level by

selecting a suitable transport of optimum size and capacity taking into consideration
the quantity of milk to be transported, type of vehicles available, road condition and
time involved.

Distance of transport: Depending upon the distance of transport and quantity of

milk, a most economic type of transport system is selected.

Condition of road: Condition of road such as dusty, narrow, broken, having sharp
turnings, congestion, business, obstacles like railway crossing, etc. are also taken
into account in selecting a suitable vehicle for milk transportation.

Own vs. hired: Having own transportation system is too expensive and highly
cumbersome. Apart from the initial investment on vehicles, it involves a complete
section of maintenance and operational personnel. Even after involving a considerable
time, energy and money, the system is neither cost effective nor working satisfactory.
On the other hand, hired transport facilities are very effective and relieve the
management from several problems and evils. It is economical because of no or
low investment and maintenance expenses. The dairy has an agreement with the
owner of the vehicle regarding rate, mode and interval of payment, liabilities on
account of delays, spoilage of milk, accidents, pilferage during transit, change in the
quality due to any fault on his part, etc. Heavy penalties and recoveries are imposed
for any lapse on the part of the transporter.

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Milk Reception iii. Methods
Generally following methods are being used in dairy industry:

Head load: Generally, producers carry milk on their head to nearby collection/
chilling/processing point. This is being practiced in villages to carry small quantity
(3 to 25 litres) of milk for short distances (3-8 km) to the collection point, specially
in hilly areas where there is no development of road.

Shoulder sling: Use is restricted to hilly areas or other areas where no other
means of transport is easily available. When the milk is slightly more (20 to 40
liters) and conveniently can not be carried on head, for little more distance (5 to
10 Km), this method is practiced.

Bullock cart: In villages where no road exists in real sense, bullock cart is used
to carry milk, if quantity is more (300–400 Kgs) and distance is to be covered
within 1 to 2 hours. It is very slow moving vehicle.

Tonga (Horse cart) : It is faster than bullock cart but it needs road to ply on and
carries comparatively less load (200-250 Kgs) for more distances (10-15 Kms).

Pack animal: Ponies, horses, donkeys and bullocks are usually employed to carry
40 to 80 Kgs to a distance of 5 to 10 Km. This method of transport is faster than
bullock cart but slower than tonga.

Bicycles: Bicycles are commonly and conveniently used to carry milk to the
collection centres, pick-up points and chilling/processing points. It is also used to
carry milk in unorganized sector by middlemen/agents/vendors to sell milk in the
accessible urban area. It is faster, more convenient and easily accessible to milk
producers/consumers home. About 40 litres (l) of milk for a distance of about 10-
15 Km can easily be transported.

Motor Cycle: Still heavier duty then bicycle can be taken to cover more than 15
Km and carry more than 100Kg of milk in very short time.

Tricycle or cycle rickshaw: It can carry more load than cycle.

Auto rickshaw: It can carry more load than cycle, rickshaw/motor cycle.

Boat: Boat is used to cross-river. Normally, small boats carry about 200 l of milk
for short distances.

Motor trucks: Motor trucks carry milk in cans and bulk tanks to a load of 0.5 to
3.5 tons for more than 100 Km. With the improvement in road facilities and
construction of all season roads, motor trucks have been found most effective
means of transportation.

Railway wagon: Railway wagons are most dependable and economical for long
distance but less popular means of milk transportation. Railway wagon can carry
10 to 12 tons of load for more than 100 Km.

Road tanker: Insulated stainless steel tanks are mounted on road truck chesis for
bulk handling (3000 – 12000 l) and for long distance (100 to 1000 Km.) transportation.
The tanker may be divided into 2 to 3 equal capacity compartments with separate
outlets.

Rail tanker: Insulated and/or refrigerated stainless steel tanks are mounted on rail
truck/chesis of the capacity in the range of 10,000 to 50,000 l to transport milk for
a long distance 500 to 3000 Km or more.
16
The extent, structure, distance of the collection area and form of collection, determine Milk Collection and
Transportation
the selection of mode of transportation.

iv. Transport vessels

 Milk cans: 40-50 litre milk cans up to 3000 litres per truck.
 Farm containers: Made of stainless steel, mobile and insulated (partially with
chilling) of 200 to 500 litre capacity.
 Tanks installed on trucks: Insulated and/or refrigerated of capacity 600 to 3000
litre tanks mounted on truck to receive milk on the route.
 Milk tankers: Separated into several chambers with or without an integrated
reception device and data recording of capacity 3,000 to 50,000 litres milk.
 Transport pipes: Subterranean pipelines made of stainless steel in developed
countries for transporting milk between the dairy and collecting point. Milk is
pushed or flowing by gravity at suitable location.

Type of Transport: Roadways, railways, waterways and air ways are the possible
types of transport. Sometimes combination of two or more can also be used for
transporting milk. In selecting suitability of a type of transport, volume of milk,
geographical location of the area, availability of facilities and ultimately the cost of
transportation are taken into account. A comparative advantages of can vs. tankers
and road vs. rail transport have been given in Table 1.2 and 1.3 respectively.

Table 1.2: Comparative advantages of can and tanker transport

Type of transport Advantages

vessel
Milk can i) Handling small quantities of milk possible
ii) Hygienic, if cleaned and sanitized properly
Tanker i) Quicker mode of transport
ii) Lower cost for large quantity of milk
iii) Better temperature control
iv) Less risk of contamination from dust, etc.
v) Time and labour saving in loading and unloading
vi) Overall saving of detergent, etc.

Table 1.3: Advantages of road and rail transport

Type of transport Advantages

Roadways i) Most economic to transport milk in containers by
using bicycle, tricycle, motor cycle, carts, trucks,
lorries and tankers.
ii) Loading and unloading possible directly at godowns
of seller and buyer.
iii) Cheaper than rail over short distances.
iv) Most convenient and less time consuming.
Railways i) Cheaper than roadways over long distances
ii) Larger quantity of milk can be handled at a time.

1.5 LET US SUM UP

Establishing a milk collection system is based on the considerations of basic
characteristics of milk, size of production units, density of milk production, distance
and type of market. These lead to a variety of systems, incorporating different 17
Milk Reception measuring and testing arrangements. The aim is an efficient and fair system of
collection. Having clear vision, organization of a milk collection system is done by
following certain steps-ensuring milk potential, location of milk-shed and collection
centres, establishing the collection centres, ascertaining management controls, setting
out operating procedures and deciding on the supervision and control of the centre.
Participation of producers as a representative in collection of milk is also ascertained
to solve their problems.

Type of milk collection system includes supply of milk to the processing plant
directly, through collection and/or chilling centres and through multi-stages of handling.
Varieties of containers, made of different materials and of various shape, size,
capacity and designs are used at different points of milk handling and processing.

Method and modes of transportation have been summarized in Table 1.4

Table 1.4: Methods and Modes of Transportation of raw milk

S.No. Type of Transport Method of Load Range Distance

Transport Vessel Transporting (in litre) Range, Km
1. Roadways Cans Head load 3-25 3-8
Shoulder sling 10-40 3-10
Pack animal 40-80 5-10
Cans, vats Bullock cart 300-400 10-12
Cans Tonga 200-300 10-15
Bicycle 40-100 10-15
Cycle rickshaw 150-200 10-15
Motor cycle 100-150 15-20
Auto rickshaw 250-500 15-20
Cans, Tanks
& Vats 500-4000 15-200
Tanks 3000-12000 100-1000
2. Waterways Cans Boat 40-200 1-10
3. Railways Cans Rail wagon 10,000-12,000 100-200
Tanks Rail tankers 10,000-50,000 500-3000

1.6 KEY WORDS

Adulteration : Adding to or subtracting from food.
Bulk tanker : Insulated, cylindrical tank mounted in a
horizontal position on trailer wheels or on the
truck to be used for pick up of bulk milk.
Collection centre : A place where milk produced in rural area is
collected for processing or marketing.
Milk shed : A defined area having sufficient milk surplus.
Planning : A scheme of action
Refrigeration : A Machine used for cooling the milk.
Route : A road for passage/travel
Survey : To take a view for specific study.
Transportation : Act of carrying/conveying from one place to
another.

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 Milk Collection and
1.7 SOME USEFUL BOOKS Transportation

Handbook on milk collection in warm developing countries (1990), published by

I.D.F., Belgium
De, Sukumar (1980), Outlines of dairy technology. Oxford University Press, Delhi.
Khan, A.Q. and Padmanabhan, P.N. (1991), The Technology of milk processing.
Shri Lakshmi Publications, Chennai- 10.

1.8 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

Your answer should include the following points:
Check Your Progress 1
1) i. Rural production and urban consumption, scanty and scattered production,
tropical climatic condition, perishability of milk.
2) i. Country climatic condition, communication network, cost of production,
financial and educational status of producers, infra-structural development,
distance between production and consumption, milk potential density, habits
of milk consumption, seasonal variation in surplus milk availability, etc.
Check Your Progress 2
1) i. Taking care of interest of milk producers, availability of ready market,
accurate measurement, price fixation, regular payment, encouraging
production etc; milk processor, quality of milk, least cost of transportation
and processing etc; milk consumers, price of milk, quality of milk, regular
availability etc.
2) i. Milk survey, points of location of collection, milk shed, route, establishing
collection points, deciding routes, type of organization, operating procedure,
supervision, audit and control.
3) i. To remove anomalies, argument, loss in weight, doubt in test, quality and
quantity of milk etc.
4) i. Direct, middleman, agents, cooperatives, organized dairy, Govt. etc.
Check Your Progress 3
1) i. Select the containers at different points of collection with respect to milk
handling person, quantum of milk, purpose for use, extent of handling,
time for which milk is held up, type of process available etc.

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