Despite being the 4th largest milk producer in the world, Pakistan lags in milk consumption. The dairy sector in Pakistan is facing imminent danger due to low productivity and poor supply chain management. Climate change and severe heat waves are further exacerbating the challenges for the dairy industry. With intensifying temperatures and heat waves becoming more frequent, milk production is significantly declining.
Given that milk is a perishable commodity, the dairy sector faces a critical issue with moisture content, which results in limited shelf life and rapid spoilage because of microbial activity. Currently, Pakistan is grappling with surging inflation because of which the price of milk has reached Rs200 per litre compromising the affordability of this essential food item. As people struggle to put food on their tables, necessary nutrition is often overlooked. Cheap beverages, detrimental to human health, have gained popularity, overshadowing the significance of nutrient-rich milk in our diet. But, milk should not be considered an extravagant expense. Research confirms that milk is a complete food containing all the necessary macro and micronutrients for proper growth and development. It also serves as a vital source of calcium, essential for strong bones, teeth, and disease prevention.
Additionally, milk is the foundation for various nutritious products, such as yoghurt, desi ghee, butter, cheese, and buttermilk, which are consumed on a large scale. Disregarding milk in our daily diet can have far-reaching consequences for our nutrition and overall health in the long run. Instead of eliminating milk, our focus should be on eliminating unnecessary items from our diet. The government must take immediate action to reduce milk prices, promote local dairy farming to minimise transportation costs, develop temperature-controlled farms so milk production does not reduce in the summer, and raise awareness about the importance of milk in our diet.
SAMRAN KHALID
BAHAWALNAGAR
