Dairy Asia Dialogue-2024: organic milk

Dedicated to World Milk Day, Dairy Asia, GASL, APHCA, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry of Mongolia, National Dairy Development Board of India, Department of Livestock Development of Thailand, BRIN-Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia, Dairy Association of China jointly organized the Dairy Asia dialogue: Organic milk production on 30 May 2024.

The dialogue was inaugurated with an opening address by Mr. T. Jambaltseren, State Secretary of Mongolia’s Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry. A special message was also delivered by Dr. Vinod Ahuja, Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. The dialogue was attended by over 30 representatives from Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Mongolia, China, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Japan, Kenya, and Belgium.

Sharing National Perspectives and Best Practices

The session, moderated by Mr. Batbaatar Bayarmagnai, CEO and Coordinator of the Dairy Asia Secretariat, featured a series of detailed presentations from five participating nations, offering a comprehensive overview of the organic dairy sector in the region:

• India: Shri Vipul Mittal, Managing Director of the National Co-operative Organics Limited, presented on India’s structured approach, highlighting the National Program for Organic Production (NPOP), the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS), and the innovative “Bharat Organic Bio-Villages” initiative.

• China: Dr. Yongxia Zhang, Senior Director of the China Mengniu Dairy Company Limited, shared insights into the latest technological innovations driving organic dairy farming in China.

• Thailand: Dr. Nawanon Chantaprasarn, Chief of the Dairy Farming Development Division of Thailand, outlined the country’s promotional activities, including the successful development of the “Morganic” brand.

• Indonesia: Dr. Lisa Praharani from BRIN detailed a bilateral cooperation project with Denmark aimed at advancing organic dairy development in Indonesia.

• Mongolia: Mr. B. Dalaijargal, CEO of “Ulemj Organic” LLC, discussed recent supportive policy changes that are fostering the organic movement within Mongolia.

Identifying Common Challenges and Forging a Path Forward

A key outcome of the dialogue was the identification of shared challenges that hinder the growth of organic milk production. Participants from both public and private sectors noted common issues, including:

• The high cost and complex requirements of the organic certification process.

• Lower milk production yields compared to conventional methods.

• Difficulties in disease management while adhering to organic principles.

• Ensuring a consistent supply of certified organic animal feed.

• Developing a sustainable and efficient value chain for organic dairy products.

In response to these challenges, the dialogue culminated in a concrete proposal to establish a joint working group under the Dairy Asia platform. This group is envisioned as a dedicated multi-stakeholder body to facilitate ongoing cooperation, knowledge exchange, and collaborative problem-solving to strengthen the organic milk production sector across Asia.