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Danone has announced the launch of Danone Milk Academy, an ‘industry-first,’ multi-year programme designed to support the resilience and long-term viability of dairy farming worldwide.

The initiative, announced today (30 October 2025), will support both Danone’s dairy farmer partners and its farm management teams, helping them to strengthen and future-proof their businesses through sustainable practices and modern technologies.

Danone Milk Academy unites the expertise of academia, technical partners and Danone in one global programme. It comprises three Centres of Excellence, each one tailored to different farming models and sizes, acting as catalysts for local training organised by each country.

The programme combines face-to-face learning sessions in key dairy regions alongside a digital knowledge platform to deliver additional training and connect farmers worldwide. It builds on the foundations of Danone’s existing farmer upskilling initiatives.

Participants will receive accredited training from Wageningen University & Research and Cornell University. The curriculum will cover all aspects of farm management and sustainability, including herd productivity and longevity, and the efficient handling of manure.

A focus on soil health and regenerative agriculture for feed and crops will also be included as part of the programme, alongside ways for farmers to reduce methane emissions. Additionally, core business capabilities such as succession planning, resource allocation and risk management will be covered.

The first global Centre of Excellence was launched in Ohio, US, this week. It brings together 60 dairy partners from nine countries, as well as academic partner Cornell University and technical partners Lely, MSD Animal Health, Worldwide Sires and Zoetis.

A second centre will open in Belgium later this year, focusing on mid-sized farms, in partnership with Wageningen University. This will be followed by a third centre in Morocco in early 2026, dedicated to smallholder farmers.

The initiative will also see the introduction of a new digital learning platform, expanding access to academic and technical expertise and best practice sharing across Danone’s dairy farming community.

The programme aligns with Danone’s strategy to contribute to strengthening the global dairy ecosystem, and its Danone Impact Journey – a long-term roadmap aimed at creating more sustainable, inclusive and resilient food systems.

Vikram Agarwal, chief operations officer at Danone, said: “What it takes to thrive as a farmer these days is changing. At Danone, we’re committed to giving our farmer community unparalleled access to the knowledge, expertise and tools that will make their businesses more agile and resilient and ultimately will strengthen the dairy supply chain.”