Nagaland State Dairy Cooperative Federation Ltd (NSDCF) launches fortified milk

Nagaland State Dairy Co-operative Federation Ltd’s fortified milk with vitamin A and D was launched by R. Khing, advisor, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services at Hotel Japfu, Kohima on Tuesday.

The product was launched in the presence of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and Tata Trust.

Speaking at the launching programme, Khing expressed gratitude to NDDB and Tata Trust for introducing milk fortification in the state. The fortified milk, which will be available only in three district (Kohima, Dimapur and Mokokchung). Towards this, he appealed the department officials and NSDFC Ltd to take up needful action for the remaining eight districts.

The advisor also urged the regulatory authority to strictly monitor the related activity to ensure that fortification is carried out strictly adhering to the prescribed criteria to prevent abuse.

Also speaking at the programme, Alan Gonmei, commissioner and secretary, AH&VS said that only fortified milk will be produced and made available with the vendors and the entire process was carried out to ensure that the marketed milk was hygienic and nutritionally beneficial to consumers.

Gonmei also informed that there are 120 dairy cooperative societies in rural and urban areas in the State out of which only 71 dairy cooperative societies are functional.

In Nagaland, the business of producing, storing and distributing milk and its products is the responsibility of Nagaland State Dairy Co-operative Federation Ltd, he informed.

At present, Nagaland milk production is 1,14684 litres per day out of which Kohima produces 50,750 litres, Dimapur 45977 litres and Mokokchung 17957 litres. Out of the total production, 6000 litres is procured by the dairy processing plans.

Gonmei added that about 95,000 litres of raw milk was sold directly to consumers per day but with the launching of fortified milk, the consumers will prefer fortified milk to raw milk.

R. Ramakrishnan, commissioner, Food Safety Nagaland in his brief address thanked NDDB and Tata Trust for launching the programme in the state. He said that the food safety team will be visiting food suppliers and vendors often.

Representative from NDDB and Tata Trust assured to extend all possible help to build nutritional gap in the State and exuded confidence that Nagaland will reach the top level in milk fortification.

The Milk Fortification Project was implemented nationwide by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) supported by Tata Trust in collaboration with India Nutrition Initiative (TINI). The Food Safety & Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) and Food Fortification Resource Centre (FFRC) regulate the standard and implementation of Milk Fortification in India.