BAIF Development Research Foundation


The BAIF Development Research Foundation is an award-winning charitable organisation based in Urali Kanchan near Pune in Maharashtra, India, that pioneers agricultural development. It was founded in 1967 by Manibhai Desai as the Bharatiya Agro Industries Foundation.
BAIF has been a pioneer in cross breeding of high yielding European cattle such as Holstein Freisian and
Jersey with the sturdy Indian breeds such as Gir from Gujarat. Later BAIF expanded the scope of activities to include animal health, nutrition, afforestation wasteland development, and tribal development.
In 1997, the organization received the Adivasi Seva Sanstha award from the State Government of Maharashtra.

Nirman and VAPCOL

BAIF is a parent organisation for a youth organisation in Maharashtra, named as Nirman.VAPCOL is a multi state former organisation registered as a producer company under company's Act. VAPCOL is a for profit organisation promoted by BAIF. Currently VAPCOL has its independent website, Facebook page and sales through distribution network as well as online sales.

Criticism

Some critics of BAIF argue that the emphasis on imported breeds of cattle has been instrumental in the decimation of Indian breeds. P. Sanath in the Hindu argues that cross-breeds give higher yields, but require more feed and are not suited to Indian conditions.