Organic Milk

Organic dairy farming is the use of compost manure without the use of any chemical fertilizers or pesticides to keep the soil biodiversity and fertility alive.

Chemicals and pesticides have been widely used in the last four decades and are being used extensively in agriculture.  During this period, farmers / pastoralists who knew the economic aspect of milk started making more and more efforts for milk production.  Pesticides and other chemicals were sprayed on the crops to get fodder in proportion to the number of animals.  Such fodder was fed to the animals and antibiotics were used to heal the sick animal quickly.  Pesticides were sprayed in stables and barns resulting in pesticides.  Extracts of herbs came into milk through the bodies of animals and entered the human body through milk.  Thus the incidence of diseases in humans also began to increase to an alarming extent.  Hence the need to take necessary steps for human health.  Humans have realized the importance of chemical-free natural foods and the spread of organic milk and food has increased worldwide, especially in Western countries.

Organic Dairy Farming :

Organic milk based on organic agricultural products and by-products based on keeping cows in special conditions. Milk produced by cows can be called organic milk.  This type of milk has the same chemical composition, physical properties and appearance as normal milk but in this type of animal the quality and purity of the milk is higher as the animals are kept away from hormones or other chemical elements and rely solely on organic factors which is beneficial for health.  .  Protecting the environment, animal and human health is the main objective of organic dairy farming.

Requirements / Standards for Organic Dairy Farming:

(1) Use only organic agricultural products and by-products without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in animal feed.  Do not use limited and compact grains.  Possibly the organic milk producer should grow his own fodder and cereal pulses or take fodder from another organic fodder producer.

(2) Do not spray any chemical pesticides around the animal's habitat.

(3) To keep the animals grazing in more and more pastures.

(4) Provide clean and adequate water to the animals.

(5) If the animal falls ill, treat it in the traditional way.  Do not use chemical drugs at all.  Avoid using hormones.

(6) Breeding and hybridization of local livestock in that area is the opposite of organic production.  In addition, artificial insemination for organic milk production is also considered invalid.

(7) After production of milk, it should be given directly to the customer without any processing, however, processing should be done at very low temperature if processing is required.

(8) Write down in detail all the instructions and guidelines such as organically grown fodder, seed medicine etc. and inform the working people at every level.

(9) The use of child labor in the production or processing or sale of organic milk is prohibited.

Basic Principles of Organic Production:

(1) Keeping soil fertility and biodiversity alive.

(2) Avoid of any kind of pollution.

(3) Promoting agriculture that is useful to nature and the environment.

(4) Avoid the use of items that are hazardous to the environment and do not decompose in the soil.

(5) Utilizing local resources and manpower for agriculture and its by-products.

(6) To provide good condition to the animals involved in farming.

(7) To give full protection to the farmer through farming.

Global Organic Milk Production:

Europe and the North.  America is a leader in organic milk production.  According to one source, in the year 2000, Denmark sold 3330 million kg.  While Germany has sold 3250 lakh kg.  Produced Organic Milk According to another source, in the year 2001-2002, England produced 1910 million liters of organic milk.  Similarly, in the last few years, many countries like Sweden, Holland, Canada have also made great strides in the field of organic milk production.

In many countries like Canada, Australia, America, many deficit institutions exist with their own norms.  In addition, international organizations such as the FAO and Codex (CAC) have set up a Codex Committee on Food Labeling (CCFL) to guide and recommend what to label organic food products.  It also strictly enforces all the principles of organic milk and other products such as product processing, labeling, storage, handling and sale.  In addition, general principles of animal husbandry, animal resources, approved veterinary medicine, animal nutrition, animal shelter, notebooks, animal identification, etc. are included in the guiding principles of the Codex.

India's position in the field of organic milk production:

India is still a beginner in the field of organic milk production.  However, with the advent of environmental and health awareness, organic products have become popular in India as well.  Today, the market for organic products parallel to traditional products is open in the country and conscious consumers are ready to buy such products at one and a half to two times the price.  The government is also working in this direction.  The Government of India set up the National Program for Organic Production (NPOP) in 2000.  Apart from this, Apeda, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Agricultural Universities of various states and many non-governmental organizations are also trying to promote organic farming and milk production.  The International Federation of Organic Farming seeks to promote agriculture and milk production.  The India branch of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement has also issued guidelines for organic milk production in India.  In addition, there are two internationally reputable organizations IMO India which is a branch of the Institute of Market Technology Switzerland and another Scal India which is a branch of Scal International Netherlands operating in India.  EcoSarc International is also operating in India.

Economic comparison :

From an economic point of view, organic is one and a half to two times as the price of this type of milk and its products is higher than that of normal milk.  The product falls on top.  In addition, organic dairy farming has higher labor costs and higher land requirements.  Taking all factors into account, it is estimated that organic milk production costs about 20% more.  However in the early stages these costs remain high.  But with good planning, you can reduce the cost.

From the above details it can be said that organic dairy farming is not new for India.  In earlier times, dairy cattle were fed chemical drugs and manure-free crops and their by-products.  Sick animals were treated with alternative methods like Ayurvedic, Homeopathy, Acupuncture.  Even today in some parts of the country this is the way animal husbandry is done. Such products need to be marketed under the name 'Organic' but for that the concept of 'Organic' and its importance needs to be conveyed to the last person in the society.  There is a need to create awareness among the people and fans about the usefulness of 'Organic' for health and knowledge and protection of the environment.

Moreover, the export of such products is likely to give the country a good return on foreign exchange and milk producers.