Designing practical milking parlours and bulk milk cooler units for rural India is just as important as good feeding and breeding. When layouts suit village realities such as small plots, narrow approach roads, frequent power cuts and mixed herd sizes, farmers save time and reduce stress on animals. Well planned workflows also reduce milk losses, improve hygiene and support higher prices from dairies. This article explains Top 10 Milking Parlour and BMC Layouts for Indian Villages in a simple, structured way so that new and experienced dairy farmers can visualise options and plan improvements step by step.
#1 Compact single row parlour with family BMC
This layout suits a single family farm with eight to ten cows and a 500 litre bulk milk cooler. Cows stand in a straight single row under a simple shed, with a concrete floor that slopes gently towards a central drain. Milking machines or cans are placed on a raised side platform to keep equipment dry. The operator moves along the row from tail side, keeping all controls on one wall to save space. A small room behind the parlour houses the BMC, wash area and power panel to keep milk handling separate from animals.
#2 Two row herringbone parlour for societies
For small village level societies that collect from thirty to forty farmers, a compact two row herringbone parlour works very well. Cows stand at an angle to a shallow central pit, which allows milkers to work safely at udder height and reduce back strain. Entry and exit gates are arranged so that animals move in a one way loop without crossing paths or turning sharply. At the end of the parlour, a covered corridor leads directly into the BMC room. Here weighing, milk testing and filtration counters are positioned before the cooler for strict checking.
#3 Tandem parlour for mixed herds
Many Indian villages have mixed herds with buffaloes and cows, and owners often milk at different times of day. A tandem parlour layout gives flexibility in such conditions. Animals stand in individual stalls facing outward, with side openings for entry and exit. Each stall has its own head locking and manure channel, so slow animals do not delay others. Milkers stand on a passage behind the animals, which keeps urine and dung away from buckets and machines. A short covered passage connects this area to a medium capacity BMC room with separate hot water wash tank.
#4 Central BMC layout for scattered farms
In hilly or scattered villages, farmers may still milk in backyard sheds and bring cans to a central collection point. For such routes, a simple BMC focused layout can be used without a full parlour. The design includes a raised unloading platform where farmers place cans, a roofed waiting area and clear queue markings. Inside, the floor slopes to a single drain and stainless steel tables hold weighing scales and sampling equipment. The BMC stands along the coolest wall with good ventilation. A separate small wash corner prevents spilled milk and water from pooling everywhere.
#5 Loose housing and parlour combination
Where village groups invest together in better infrastructure, a combined loose housing and parlour layout saves land and labour significantly. Animals rest in an open paddock with shade and water, and move through a holding yard into a double row parlour. Fencing and one directional gates guide movement, so herders do not struggle with ropes. At the exit, animals pass a foot bath before returning to the paddock. The BMC room is built on the road facing side of the plot for easy tanker access, while milking and animal areas remain behind a hygiene barrier.
#6 Power safe BMC and parlour layout
Power cuts are a reality in many Indian villages, so layouts should protect the BMC from voltage problems. In this design, the BMC room is kept compact and well insulated with only one entry door from a clean corridor. A separate electrical corner holds stabiliser, control panel and space for a generator or battery bank. The milking parlour connects through a washable passage where milk cans or pipelines reach the cooler without crossing dirty zones. Roof vents and high windows remove heat from compressors, which helps the cooler run efficiently and maintain proper chilling temperatures.
#7 Water efficient parlour and BMC design
Clean water flow strongly influences milk quality, so one layout focuses on washing efficiency around the BMC and parlour. A high level overhead tank feeds separate pipelines for animal drinking, parlour washing and BMC cleaning so that pressure remains steady. The parlour floor has clearly marked dry, wet and wash zones to reduce slipping. A central wash station between parlour and BMC room stores detergents, brushes and hot water. Wastewater channels run outside into a soak pit or biogas plant. This keeps the immediate milk handling area dry, odour free and easy to disinfect daily.
#8 Women friendly village parlour layout
In many villages, women handle most milking work, so layouts should respect comfort and safety. A women friendly parlour includes non slip ramps, moderate step heights and railings near the pit. Working platforms are kept at ergonomic height so back and knee strain reduces during repeated milking. The design adds good natural lighting, wall mounted fans and hooks for aprons and buckets. Entry from the village path is screened using a low wall and plants to provide privacy. The BMC room has wide doors, so even women can move full cans on trolleys without difficulty.
#9 Modular parlour with future expansion
Some dairy entrepreneurs start small but plan to grow, so a modular layout that allows future expansion is very useful. The initial parlour may have four stalls and a 500 litre BMC placed in one corner of a rectangular building. Columns and beams are positioned so that one side wall can be removed later to double stall numbers. Drain, water and power lines are laid in straight grids, avoiding unnecessary bends. When volumes increase, the old BMC location can become a wash room and a larger cooler can be placed along the extended back wall.
#10 Eco friendly parlour and BMC layout
Sustainable layouts consider not only milk but also manure, wash water and energy use. An eco friendly parlour and BMC plan starts with gutters that carry dung and slurry directly towards a biogas pit or compost yard. Roofs over the parlour and holding area include gutters that lead to a rainwater tank for washing and cleaning. The BMC waste water outlet connects to a grease trap before entering a soak pit, which protects soil and bore wells. Trees are planted on the western side to shade the building, reduce heat load and improve animal comfort.