Though reputed international agencies Food & Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations as well as Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development recently gave an outlook for demand of milk and milk products in Asia-Pacific region at 320 million tonne per annum by the year 2021, National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) opined to revisit the estimate considering changing economic scenario.
Expressing his view at international workshop on ‘Sustainable Dairy Development in Asia — From Concept to Action’ on Wednesday, NDDB chairman T Nanda Kumar said that considering economic growth, change in dietary habits and urbanization in Asia, the demand estimate may be much higher than the project and could be re-visited. The focus of the workshop is on encouraging empowerment of women through dairying.
In the four-day workshop, commenced on Monday at NDDB headquarters and India’s ‘Milk Capital’ Anand in Central Gujarat, more than 60 delegates from Asia-Pacific regions are participating. It is being jointly organised by FAO and NDDB.
Currently milk production is 270 million tonnes and by 2021, there is a need to augment production capacity by another 50 million ton, in which India will have to play the most important role, said Vinod Ahuja, livestock Policy Officer, FAO.