27% of Meghalaya’s children are malnourished due to non consumption of milk

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 13, 2020

SHILLONG:  Emphasizing on the importance of milk and its nutrients required for the holistic health of everyone especially children and pregnant women, Meghalaya Farmers Empowerment Commission Chairman K N Kumar today underlined on the need of drink milk everyday in order to keep ourselves fit and healthy.

He told a gathering at the inauguration of the Milk Collection Centre and Laboratory cum Office of Iatyllilang Multipurpose Cooperative Society, HQ Mawshaidong, Nongpiur-Myrkhan, at Myrkhan, Upper Shillong this afternoon.

Stating that 27% of Meghalaya’s children are malnourished due to lack of a special protein present in milk, Kumar said that such cooperative sectors are required to  meet the demand of milk supply thereby keep our children healthy. He also said that the Meghalaya Milk Mission has been conceptualized to plug the demand-supply gap in the per capita milk availability.

Stating that the per capita milk availability in Meghalaya is much lower than the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR’s) recommendation of milk consumption per person, Kumar said that the Milk Mission will enable the state to substitute the import of milk with the state’s own production. He also urged the people to take the responsibility and create opportunity through dairy farming and help to increase the production of milk in the region and also improve the economic condition.

Inaugurating the milk collection centre, Deputy Chief Minister i/c Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Prestone Tynsong said that the presence of cooperative milk collection centres will strengthen the dairy sector in Meghalaya.

Tynsong said that Meghalaya Milk Mission will facilitate in achieving the goal of doubling farmer’s income through promotion of milk business in the state.

Under the sanctioned project of ₹220 crores through National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), the Dy Chief Minister said that the amount will be utilised for various training under dairy farm, chilling centre and purchase of milch animal, he said. He called upon cattle farmers to take the opportunity of the schemes and programmes available with the Central and State Government to enhance their economic livelihood and ensure milk sufficiency in the State.

Urban Affairs Minister, Hamletson Dohling that cattle and dairy farming is one of the most valuable activities that can uplift the economy of the people and the State. He said new employment opportunities could be generated through cooperatives and strengthens the farmers’ economic condition by augmenting their income and fast track the pace of development in the State.

Other presence are Mylliem MDC R V Lyngdoh, MDC, ADM East Khasi Hills M Tongper, BDO, Mylliem C & RD Block P T Passah and officials from AH & Veterinary and Chairman, Iatyllilang Multipurpose Cooperative Society A Nongkynrih.