Enhancing livestock keepers` incomes through certification for milk and dairy products to increase market access in selected sites
| Project's full title | Enhancing livestock keepers` incomes through certification for milk and dairy products to increase market access in selected sites |
|---|---|
| Country | India |
| Start date | 01/03/2023 |
| End date | 31/12/2024 |
| Status | Completed |
| Project Code | TCP/IND/3903 |
| Objective / Goal |
Objectives: To develop region-specific protocols and certification mechanisms for small and marginal livestock keepers in India, to ensure the production and marketing of chemical-free milk and dairy products, thereby enhancing farmers' income and providing consumers with safe and hygienic dairy options. Description: In India, as per the data of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute for Research on Cattle (ICAR-CIRC), in livestock-keeping 20 percent are small and 60 percent are marginal animal herders. A large segment of them is also landless. Moreover, not all are organized into dairy cooperatives/farmer producer organizations or other marketing groups. This poses a challenge for the selling of their milk and dairy products. High input costs for animal feed and unsustainable milk pricing also make the activity less remunerative. To address challenges, there's a need for traceability in feed, dedicated value chains, and cost-effective milk certification. To pilot solutions, region-specific approaches are essential, requiring thorough groundwork and stakeholder engagement. Under this project, FAO supports filling the gaps in standards/protocols for milk and for the capacity and awareness building of those in the milk value chain. This technical cooperation project collates existing protocols and creates easily applicable standards for smallholders, followed by certification mechanisms. It organizes relevant experience-sharing from existing initiatives and protocols on milk marketing for safe and clean milk in India with smallholders (as groundwork to develop easy-to-use protocols) and to build the capacity of those in the milk value chain. The project also analyzes the variance of the protocols (to be developed) from the standards on quality and organic certification. FAO Regular Programme Budget Expected Outputs:
|