Pranav Kumar, Anna Singh, Ravneet Kour
Milk is global food consumed since time immemorial. It is a mixture of quintessential major and minor, constituting a healthy and balanced diet. To honour the dairy industry and raise awareness of the value of milk as a food on a worldwide scale and to recognize the significance of milk as a universal food, June 1stis designated as World Milk Day every year. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations created the day in 2001. World Milk Day acknowledges the qualities and importance of milk as global food and celebrates the passionate commitment of the dairy sector to feeding humanity. This is also a day to spread awareness about the challenges in the global production and distribution of milk. The goal of this day is to provide us with a chance to raise awareness of and support in any manner possible initiatives related to the dairy industry. Each year since, the benefits of milk and dairy products have been actively promoted around the world, including how dairy supports the livelihoods of one billion people. Since many nations were already commemorating their national milk days at this time of year, June 1stwas chosen as the day for the commemoration.
The theme of this year’s world milk day is to highlight how dairy has reduced its impact on the environment while offering nutritional foods and livelihoods. Together, the whole world will drive an active narrative that integrates the environmental, nutritional and societal impacts of the sector. This day offers a chance to raise awareness of milk among people all over the world. The purpose of the day is to increase public knowledge of the value of milk in a balanced diet, as well as how it helps communities and livelihoods. The FAO estimates that the dairy industry supports more than one billion livelihoods and that more than six billion people around the world eat dairy products.
Milk, an elixir of life, has been an integral part of human existence since time immemorial. It has nourished generations, providing essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that fuel our growth and development. But beyond its nutritional value, milk holds a profound cultural significance in societies across the globe. It symbolizes purity, abundance, and sustenance, serving as a cornerstone in many traditions and rituals.
India, being one of the member states of the United Nations, observes Milk Day every year. India is currently the top milk producer, making it a responsible global player on World Milk Day.
The theme of World Milk Day 2023 resonates with India’s global commitment to curbing climate change. Last year, the Ministry of Health and Welfare ran social media campaigns on various social media profiles with hashtags #WorldMilkDay and #EnjoyDairy and to promote the health advantages of dairy products, the government launched a public awareness campaign, A Glass of Goodness.
The dairy industry in India serves as a tool of socio-economic development. and adding on to that the Government of India has introduced various schemes and initiatives aimed at the development of the dairy sector in the country as stated earlier in the article. One of the examples is “National Dairy Programme”, which aims to improve cattle productivity and increase the production of milk expanding and strengthening and expanding the rural milk procurement infrastructure and provide greater market access to the farmers. On the other hand, the private participation in the Indian dairy sector has also increased over the past few years focusing mainly on to value-added products such as cheese, yogurt, probiotic drinks, etc. and other innovative products keeping in mind the specific requirements of the Indian consumers, also the improvement of milk procurement and marketing network is further facilitating the development of the dairy industry in India.
Furthermore, the world of dairy is witnessing a creative transformation, giving rise to an array of milk alternatives. From plant-based options to lab-grown dairy, scientists and entrepreneurs are reimagining the possibilities, catering to a diverse range of dietary preferences and ethical considerations.
Milk Day 2023 provides a platform to explore these ground-breaking alternatives and understand their potential impact on our health and the planet as the Milk is central to food security, nutrition, economic sustenance, and the development of every human.
(The writers are Assistant Professor, Research Scholars, Division
of Veterinary Extension Education, FVSc&AH SKUAST-J).
