Dairy Asia Webinar on School Milk Program Commemorates World School Milk Day

In observance of World School Milk Day, a webinar on School Milk Programs was jointly convened on September 28, 2021, by the Dairy Asia Secretariat, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry of Mongolia, and the International Dairy Federation (IDF).

The webinar commenced with welcoming addresses and opening remarks from:

• H.E. Mr. Z. Mendsaikhan, Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry of Mongolia

• Dr. Vinod Ahuja, FAO Representative in Mongolia

• Ms. Caroline Emond, Director General of the International Dairy Federation

The session was moderated by Mr. Batbaatar Bayarmagnai, Coordinator of the Dairy Asia Secretariat.

Presentation Highlights

A series of expert presentations were delivered on School Milk Program implementations and insights from across Asia:

1. Dr. Vaghela, Representative, National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) of India

2. Dr. Saroch Ngarmkum, Advisor, Department of Livestock Development of Thailand

3. Dr. Zhao Wei, Director, Promotion Office of China School Milk Program, Dairy Association of China

4. Mr. Nasim Ali Mandal, Dairy Professional and former National Consultant for the UN FAO in Bangladesh

5. Dr. Onon, Assistant Director, Food Production Policy Implementation and Coordination Department, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry of Mongolia

Key Discussion Themes

The webinar facilitated a substantive exchange of knowledge, focusing on several critical areas:

• The significant achievements, accumulated experiences, and documented benefits of School Milk Programs in countries such as India, China, Thailand, and Bangladesh.

• The common challenges related to program implementation, coordination, and sustainability.

• The International Dairy Federation’s initiative to create a “School Milk Knowledge Hub.”

• A new proposal for establishing a School Milk Program in Mongolia.

Strategic Importance and Multisectoral Benefits

The discussions underscored the profound importance of School Milk Programs. As children represent the future of our nations and the citizens of tomorrow, investing in their well-being is paramount. It was noted that globally, approximately 160 million school-aged children benefit from receiving milk in educational settings.

The webinar concluded with a consensus on the multifaceted value of these programs, which extend beyond nutrition to deliver substantial benefits for various stakeholders, including:

• Children: Positively impacting growth, development, and public health.

• Dairy Sector: Strengthening the entire milk value chain, from farm to table, and contributing to the stabilization of national dairy markets.

• Local Economies: Generating positive economic ripple effects.

A key takeaway was that the successful implementation of School Milk Programs requires a strong and sustained commitment from relevant Ministries and agencies responsible for education, agriculture, health, and nutrition, in close partnership with the dairy sector itself.