India

Establishing pathways to integrate nutritional and therapeutic potential of non-bovine milk

Project's full title Establishing pathways to integrate nutritional and therapeutic potential of non-bovine milk
Country India
Start date 01/01/2024
End date 31/12/2025
Status Ongoing
Project Code TCP/IND/3906
Objective / Goal

Objectives: To support in establishing pathways for non-bovine milch species especially for rainfed areas (aimed at landless, small, and marginal farmers) by piloting nutrition-sensitive value chain integration as part of the conservation strategy.

Description: Livestock is a vital subsector of agriculture in India, with dairy cows and buffaloes being the primary sources of milk production. However, other non-bovine dairy species such as sheep, goats, camels, and yaks are also significant. These species are particularly well-suited to specific ecosystems characterized by geographical or climatic constraints such as aridity, high altitude, or high humidity. Their ability to thrive in these challenging environments makes non-bovine dairy species an increasingly important adaptive strategy in response to climate change.

This technical cooperation project establishes pathways for promoting non-bovine milch species, particularly in rainfed areas. This initiative benefits landless, small, and marginal farmers by piloting a nutrition-sensitive value chain as part of a broader conservation strategy. While the Government of India has extensive technical expertise in bovine milk production, FAO's technical assistance addresses critical gaps, such as developing pricing mechanisms for non-bovine milk, setting standards, and building consensus for a socially inclusive, nutrition-sensitive, and sustainable value chain. This effort is expected to culminate in a comprehensive policy framework. Under this project, FAO also organizes stakeholder consultations across the value chain in India, laying the groundwork for a socially inclusive model and creating an investment ecosystem that leverages the nutraceutical and therapeutic value of non-bovine milk.

FAO Regular Programme Budget

Expected Outputs:

  • Trends, market players, potential and opportunities with potential scalable value chain initiatives assessed
  • Socially inclusive procurement model on non-bovine milk, Investment plans, IEC material and policy guidelines / potential pathways incorporated in existing National Livestock Mission