World Milk day celebration

World Milk Day highlights to hard work of farmers - The FAO said that in the context of poverty and malnutrition in Asia, milk had a special role to play for its many nutritional advantages with providing income for millions of small-scale farmers.

It said the dairy sector continued the income and employment of millions of farm families, provides milk for nutrition, and draught animal power and manure for agriculture.

Asia's milk production crossed the 250-million-tonne mark last year, indicates that the region's output increased five-fold over the last three decades, said the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

In addition, recent high prices for milk products have further induced renewed interest in dairy development in Asia, mainly in recognition of the nutritional importance of milk in rural communities, it said.

Nearly 80 per cent of fresh milk produced in Asia is supplied by smallholders for which women farmers play a main important role.

It said that over the same period, yearly per capita consumption of milk grew from 20 kg to 70 kg.

Across the globe, countries eagerly participate in World Milk Day every year, and through interactive activities with individuals of all ages, praise the benefits of milk and its role in a healthy diet.