Dairy Asia dialogue: goat husbandry and milk production

Dedicated to World Milk Day and Mongolia – 50^th Anniversary of Admission to FAO, Dairy Asia, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry of Mongolia, GASL, IDF, ICAR-Central Institute on Research for Goats in India, Department of Livestock Services of Bangladesh, (BRIN) National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia, China Animal Agriculture Association, Dairy School, Israel Experience jointly organized the Dairy Asia dialogue: goat husbandry and milk production on 30^th May 2023.

The joint Dairy Asia dialogue commenced with opening remarks from Mr. T. Jambaltseren, State Secretary, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry of Mongolia; Dr. Vinod Ahuja, UN FAO Representative; and Dr. Manish Kumar Chatli, Director General of the Central Institute for Research on Goats in India.

The session was moderated by Mr. Batbaatar Bayarmagnai, CEO and Coordinator of the Dairy Asia Secretariat. The agenda featured the following presentations on goat husbandry and milk production:

• India: Dr. Manish Kumar Chatli, Central Institute for Research on Goats

• China: Dr. Song Yuxuan, China Animal Agriculture Association & Northwest A&F University

• Bangladesh: Dr. Md. Golam Azam, Department of Livestock Services

• Indonesia: Dr. Lisa Praharani, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN)

• Mongolia: Dr. Ts. Munkhnasan, Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry

• Israel: Dr. Haim Leibovich, Dairy Consultant, Israel Experience

The dialogue was attended by over 40 representatives from Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Mongolia, China, India, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Kenya, the US, and Italy.

Context and Importance of Goat Husbandry

Goat farming is vital for rural livelihoods, providing nutrition, food security, and income through milk, meat, and other products. Often called the “poor man’s cow” or “Little Cow” in regions, goats are a key resource for smallholder farmers. Asia produces 56% of the world’s goat milk, which itself accounts for approximately 2% of global milk production.

Goat milk is highly nutritious and can be processed into various products like cheese and yogurt. The growing global market for goat milk, valued at USD 8.5 billion in 2018 and projected to reach USD 11.4 billion by 2026, presents significant development opportunities for Asian countries.

Common Challenges and a Proposed Path Forward

The dialogue identified several shared challenges, including:

• Impacts of extreme climate

• Inefficient production and low animal performance

• Animal diseases

• Limited farmer knowledge and market access

• Lack of processing facilities and financial support

• Concerns about milk quality and safety

In response, participants proposed a new initiative to establish a Dairy Asia working group. This group should aim to strengthen collaborative research and development in goat husbandry and milk production across Asian countries.