One-day workshop on QUALITY MILK FOR GOOD HEALTH AND PROSPERITY
Nepal Dairy Science Association (NDSA) organised one-day workshop on QUALITY MILK FOR GOOD HEALTH AND PROSPERITY, in Kathmandu on Aswin 24, 2075 BS (October 10, 2018). It is a professional association of dairy experts in the country with memberships of dairy technologists, food technologists, livestock specialists, nutritionists, milk collection managements and milk quality control specialists involved in managing and improving the dairy industry and business in the country. NDSA is a knowledge-based on-profit organisation, established in 2050 BS (1993 AD). The one-day workshop was inaugurated by Hon. State minister of Agriculture and Livestock Ram Kumari Chaudhary.
During her inaugural speech, she emphasised the dire need to improve the quality of milk and milk products marketed, and all related stakeholders should join hands to achieve it. She went on adding that dairy development is an important sector for rural income and employment and contributes 9 % in the national GDP of the country, and continued that government is committed to assure the safety and quality of foods in general, and milk in particular. Shyam Poudel, joint secretary from the Agriculture and livestock also addressed the meeting, and highlighted the importance of livestock and dairy sector. From the chair, NDSA chairman Tek Bahadur Thapa highlighted need of expansion cold-chain for safeguarding the quality of raw milk, thus the collection centres will not resort to the use of neutraliser to save the milk from being sour and curdling. As well he highlighted the need of strengthening National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) through the allocation of required budget as well the well-trained manpower. During the technical session, three papers were presented respectively by the advisor of NDSA Rajendra Gopal Shrestha, Senior food research officer of DFTQC Bimal Kumar Dahal and the Technical director of NDDB Dr. Balak Chaudhary. Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock recently approved the new Milk and Milk Products Safety Directives (2075) which was presented by DFTQC and its provisions, and implementation modalities were discussed.
The workshop was attended by the representatives of DIA/NDA and CDCAN members, NDDB, DDC staffs in addition to NDSA members, and invitees from MOAD, DFTQC, DLS, NASA, Nepal Consumers Forum, Agriterra and so on.
Based on the presentations, discussions and deliberations, following conclusions and recommendations were drawn up;
- The meeting welcomed the introduction of new Milk and Milk Products Safety Directives (2075), as approved by the ministry of Agriculture and livestock. More time is needed to create awareness about the new safety directives, before it is enforced. NDSA can support the government by organising training and awareness’ programme to the such as coop society/members, chilling centres and at processors level.
- Current milk quality standard is low and encouraging adulteration. Thus, Government/Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock/DFTQC should revise the minimum raw milk quality standards for cow milk to 3.5 % fat and 8.5 % SNF; & for buffalo milk to 5.5 % fat and 8.7 % SNF; as well revise pasteurized milk standard to 3.5 % fat and 8.5 % SNF. Near normal milk from udder should be provided to the consumers unless, it is special milks like low fat. It is to be noted that raw milk quality standard in India is 6 per cent fat and 9 per cent SNF (solids-not-fat) for buffalo milk, and 3.5 per cent fat and 8.5 per cent SNF) for cow milk. This move could help to minimise the milk holiday problems that reoccurs every flush season.
- Milk quality starts from the farm, thus safety and quality monitoring should start from the coops/collection centres and continued in the entire value chain up to milk sales point. be expanded to chilling centres, transport systems, coops who are collecting milk from the farmers.
- Introduce Methylene blue reduction Test (MBRT), compulsory at CC level. Some coops are already having facilities for MBRT. Set the minimum MBR time, and higher MBR time should be incentivized. Thus, better quality milk can get better price, and premium pricing can be introduced.
- Introduce the concept of Pilot Model milk chilling centre with the desired facilities; where required tests can be carried out at farmers, MCC and CC level. MBRT should be introduced. This could be a learning centre too. If needed, NDSA could help to design operating modalities and training part.
- Milk discarded by one party (DDC or Pvt industry or bulk milk suppliers) must not be accepted by other. A common guideline is needed. NDDB, DFTQC, DCC and NDA/DIA should work closely and agree on minimum raw milk quality standards. NDDB would be an appropriate authority to coordinate this task, and NDSA can technically support the process.
- In collaboration with other Professional bodies and stakeholders, NDSA should develop a white-paper on the recurring coliform issues, in order to inform the consumers, press and related stakeholders.
- NDDB should be strengthened with additional budgets and qualified manpower, as well NDDB regional offices in each Pradesh should be opened.
- Milk quality starts from the farm, thus safety and quality monitoring should start from the coops/collection centres and continued in the entire value chain up to milk sales point. be expanded to chilling centres, transport systems, coops who are collecting milk from the farmers.
- Organized sales outlet with cooling facilities should/could be established in the metro cities, in collaboration with local government. Municipalities should provide premises and infrastructures.
- NDSA should represent in the capacity of board member in NBBD and DCC, similar to the representations made DIA, NDA and CDCAN.
Published date: 2021-06-22