'''Military Farms''' in India were set up to ensure a clean and continuous supply of cows milk to troops located in various garrisons across undivided [[British Raj|British India]]. After [[Indian independence movement|Indian independence]], the Indian Army continued and expanded the service.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=B9z0aR1712YJgExUcsoetw==&ParentID=wgUA8Ezljz6KMVahVtF7RA==|title=Military Farms Services|website=Indian Army|access-date=2 Feb 2018}}</ref> The farms spread over 20,000 acres of prime defence land and had over 25,000 cattle.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/colonial-era-military-farms-face-closure-1763316|title=Colonial-Era Military Farms Face Closure|work=NDTV.com|access-date=2018-02-02}}</ref> The 39 military farms are spread across India in cities such as Ambala, Kolkata, Srinagar, Agra, Pathankot, Lucknow, Meerut, Allahabad and Guwahati.<ref name="39farms">{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/armys-military-farms-to-be-shut-flag-ceremony-for-closure-at-delhi-cantt-101617127130090.html|title=Army’s military farms to be shut, flag ceremony for closure at Delhi Cantt}}</ref> But recently, after recommendations by the Shekatkar Committee,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=175241|title=Recommendations of Shekatkar Committee|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=2018-02-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=170365|title=Ministry of Defence approves first phase of reforms in The Armed Forces|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=2018-02-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/govt-gets-going-on-military-reforms-but-keeps-big-bang-ones-on-backburner/articleshow/60297151.cms|title=Push for Army reforms: 57,000 posts to be rejigged, 39 military farms to be shut - Times of India ►|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-02-02}}</ref> all military farms were shut in 2017,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/All-military-farms-to-shut-shop-by-2017/articleshow/19668690.cms|title=All military farms to shut shop by 2017 - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-02-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LpgkBQAAQBAJ&q=%22military+farm+service%22+india&pg=PA27|title=Attractive Career In Defence|last=Gautam|first=R. P.|date=2009|publisher=Prabhat Prakashan|isbn=9788188322718|pages=27|language=en}}</ref> to cut costs and better utilise thousands of acres of prime defence land.<ref name="39farms"/>
