Joint Press Conference Commemorates World Milk Day 2021

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – A press conference was jointly convened to mark World Milk Day 2021 by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry of Mongolia, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Dairy Asia Secretariat Office, and the Mongolian Food Association’s Milk Professional Council.

The event featured remarks from key stakeholders, who highlighted the significance of milk and the strategic development of the dairy sector.

Keynote Speakers:

• Mr. Vinod Ahuja, Member of Dairy Asia’s Steering Committee and FAO Representative in Mongolia

• Mr. B. Batbaatar, Dairy Asia Coordinator

• Ms. L. Choi-Ish, Dairy Asia’s Focal Point in Mongolia, and Director General of the Food Production Policy Implementation and Coordination Department, Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry of Mongolia

• Mr. M. Bolod, Chair of the Mongolian Food Association’s Milk Professional Council

Mr. Vinod Ahuja opened by underscoring that the FAO promotes World Milk Day in recognition of the multifaceted benefits of milk consumption and production. He noted that since its inception in June 2001, the day has become an annual global event to highlight milk’s role as a nutritious food, particularly for children and undernourished populations. He emphasized that smallholder farmers are the backbone of Asia’s dairy sector, producing approximately 80 percent of its milk, and that the sector’s growth is vital for enhancing farmers’ livelihoods and improving household food security and nutrition.

Ms. L. Choi-Ish stressed the importance of preserving Mongolia’s tradition of high dairy consumption. She detailed the Government of Mongolia’s milk incentive policy, implemented since November 2020, which aims to support local milk producers, herders, and farmers while reducing dependence on powdered milk imports. She further stated that developing a robust milk supply chain “from farm to table” is a critical priority, and that the Ministry is also focusing on policies to enable dairy exports.

Mr. M. Bolod highlighted the necessity of mutually developing both traditional livestock herding and intensive farming to increase domestic milk production. He shared that the industry is focusing on the research and development of probiotic dairy products. Furthermore, he confirmed that the Milk Professional Council is working closely with the Ministry to increase public awareness, championing the “a cup of milk a day” consumption initiative.

Mr. B. Batbaatar provided a continental perspective, noting that while Asia is home to 60 percent of the world’s population, it accounts for only about 40 percent of global milk production. He articulated Dairy Asia’s vision for “a socially and environmentally responsible Asian dairy sector that enhances rural livelihoods, improves nutrition, and contributes to economic prosperity.” He reported that the Dairy Asia Secretariat Office was established in 2020 with support from the Government of Mongolia, UN FAO, the Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock (GASL), and the Animal Production and Health Commission for Asia and the Pacific (APHCA). Key strategic priorities include knowledge sharing, expanding membership within the region, increasing public awareness, and ensuring private sector participation, with a focus on the production of cow, yak, goat, sheep, camel, and mare milk.