Dairy Asia Dialogue – 2021: yak milk production

Dairy Asia Secretariat, FAO, Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry of Mongolia, GASL, IDF, and World “Yurta” association jointly organized the Dairy Asia dialogue: Yak Milk production on 19^th November 2021.

The dialogue opened with remarks from Mr. T. Jambaltseren, State Secretary of Mongolia’s Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry, and Dr. Vinod Ahuja, UN FAO Representative. In the dialogue participated representatives and delegates from Bhutan, India, China, Nepal, Mongolia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, the UK, France, the US, and Chile.

The session was moderated by Mr. Batbaatar Bayarmagnai of the Dairy Asia Secretariat, and presentations were delivered on the status of yak milk production in several key countries:

• Bhutan: Mr. Towchu Rabgay, Department of Livestock

• Nepal: Mr. Babu Kaji Panta, National Dairy Development Board

• Mongolia: Mr. J. Tsogtbaatar, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry (Policy) and Ms. S. Tsetsgee, FAO consultant (Cheese Production)

• China: Mr. Jiang Yanshi, “Treasure of Plateau”

• India: Dr. Mihir Sarkar, ICAR – National Research Centre on Yak

The joint Dairy Asia dialogue on yak milk production featured a panel discussion with distinguished experts, including:

• Mr. Santiago Benitez, Founder and Director of the Yurta Association

• Mr. G. Temuulen, Member of the Mongolian Parliament and President of the Mongolian Yak Association

• Dr. Mihir Sarkar, Director of the ICAR – National Research Centre on Yak in India

• Mr. Siquan Wang, Founder and Chairman of “Treasure of Plateau”

The dialogue centered on the current state of global yak husbandry and milk production, identifying several critical challenges. These include environmental pressures such as harsh winters, droughts, rangeland degradation, and water scarcity. Additional concerns encompass genetic deterioration in yak populations, issues with milk quality and safety, a lack of advanced technology, and inadequate rural infrastructure. The sector also faces socioeconomic hurdles like limited market opportunities and the migration of younger generations from herding, leading to an aging workforce.

A primary focus of the discussion was the significant threat posed by global warming. Given that yak husbandry is intrinsically linked to high-altitude, cold climates, the sector is particularly vulnerable to climate change. The dialogue explored the potential impacts and considered future perspectives for countries dependent on yak farming.

The presentations and subsequent discussions were productive, providing a cooperative forum for sharing essential knowledge and experiences. This exchange was deemed vital for planning a sustainable future for the sector.

As a key outcome, the participants collectively supported a proposal to establish a World Yak Association, with Mongolia suggested as its potential headquarters. Furthermore, it was agreed that yak-holding countries, international organizations, and regional initiatives should enhance collaborative partnerships. The dialogue also concluded that the yak milk supply and value chain require sustainable strengthening, and that research and development (R&D) in yak milk production must be actively supported.