Explain the strategies to improve the quality of milk

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To improve the quality of milk, especially in the Indian context where milk production is a major source of rural livelihood, several scientific, hygienic, and management-based strategies can be adopted. These strategies aim to enhance both the nutritional content and hygienic standards of milk from farm to consumer.

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Strategies to Improve the Quality of Milk

Improving milk quality means ensuring that the milk is nutritious, free from harmful bacteria, and has good taste, colour, and shelf life. Quality milk benefits both the consumer (through safe nutrition) and the producer (through better prices and market reputation). Here are the main strategies to achieve this:

1. Genetic Improvement of Milch Animals

  • Selective breeding and crossbreeding help in improving the milk yield and quality traits such as fat content and protein level.
  • Indigenous high-yielding breeds like Gir, Sahiwal, Murrah should be promoted and improved further.
  • Artificial insemination (AI) programmes using superior semen can enhance genetic quality.

2. Proper Feeding and Nutrition

  • Feed should be balanced and rich in energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
  • Use of green fodder, dry fodder, and concentrate mixtures in proper ratio helps increase milk quantity and fat content.
  • Inclusion of mineral mixture supplements improves reproductive health and milk composition.

3. Hygienic Milking Practices

  • Clean the animal’s udder and teats before and after milking using warm water or antiseptic solution.
  • Use clean hands or sterilized milking machines to avoid contamination.
  • Filter milk immediately after milking to remove any impurities like hair, dust, etc.

4. Animal Health and Disease Control

  • Conduct regular vaccination and deworming to prevent diseases like mastitis, FMD (Foot and Mouth Disease), brucellosis.
  • Sick animals should be isolated to prevent spread of infection.
  • Healthy animals produce better quality milk in terms of safety and nutrient content.

5. Clean Milk Production (CMP) Programmes

  • CMP is a government and cooperative initiative to promote clean milk at the farm level.
  • Educates farmers about clean sheds, safe storage, and quick transport of milk.
  • Improves SNF (Solids-Not-Fat) and fat percentages, and reduces bacterial load in milk.

6. Use of Modern Technologies

  • Use of bulk milk coolers (BMCs) to chill milk to 4°C immediately after milking to avoid bacterial growth.
  • Use of automatic milking machines and milk analyzers to maintain hygiene and check milk quality on the spot.
  • Electronic Milk Testing (EMT) machines ensure accurate fat and SNF measurement at village level.

7. Milk Collection and Handling

  • Ensure that milk is collected in stainless steel or food-grade plastic containers, not in aluminium or copper vessels.
  • Avoid delay between milking and chilling. Milk should be transported quickly to chilling centres or dairy plants.
  • Maintain a cold chain throughout the milk transport and storage process.

8. Quality-Based Milk Pricing (QBMP)

  • Farmers should be paid based on the quality of milk, not just quantity.
  • This encourages them to adopt best practices for clean milk production.
  • Cooperatives like AMUL, Saras, and Sudha have implemented such pricing models in India.

9. Training and Awareness of Farmers

  • Organising training camps and awareness sessions on clean milk production, cattle management, and feed improvement.
  • Educating them on how milk quality affects their income and consumer health.
  • Promoting women’s involvement, as they play a crucial role in dairy management in rural India.

10. Regular Quality Testing

  • Regular testing of milk for adulterants, somatic cell count, bacterial count, fat and SNF content should be conducted.
  • Use of lactometers and other quick test kits at milk collection centres helps maintain quality.

11. Government Schemes and Support

  • Avail benefits from schemes like:
    • National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD)
    • Rashtriya Gokul Mission
    • Dairy Processing and Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF)
  • These schemes provide financial aid for milk chilling units, AI centres, and clean milk production.

12. Prevention of Adulteration

  • Adulteration with water, detergent, starch, etc., reduces milk quality and is dangerous for health.
  • Strict laws under FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) must be enforced.
  • Use of simple field testing kits should be encouraged at village level to detect adulteration.

13. Better Storage and Packaging

  • Milk should be stored in clean, airtight, and hygienic containers.
  • Use of pasteurization and sterilization processes to kill harmful bacteria before packaging.
  • Encourage packaging in tetra packs, polypacks, or glass bottles for urban markets.

14. Promotion of Organic and A2 Milk

  • Encourage organic dairy farming, which avoids use of synthetic feed and antibiotics.
  • Promote A2 milk from desi breeds like Gir and Tharparkar, which is healthier and fetches better price (₹70 to ₹100 per litre) in premium markets.

Conclusion

Improving milk quality is essential for ensuring safe nutrition for consumers and better income for producers. By combining scientific practices, hygienic methods, and government support, India can maintain its position as the world’s largest milk producer, while also ensuring the quality and safety of milk products in both domestic and global markets. Farmers’ awareness, cooperative participation, and infrastructure development are the pillars of success in this direction.

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