The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation’s (GCMMF) Sarhad Dairy, based in Kutch, could begin camel milk production soon. GCMMF is the country’s largest dairy cooperative, which markets milk and milk products under the Amul brand. The Gujarat government has allocated the funds to the tune of Rs 80 lakh to the Sarhad Dairy, for an initial capacity of around 5,000 litres per day already. GCMMF have also already identified a market for it but what they are waiting for is product approval from FSSAI. Unlike the milk of other animals, camel milk is not defined in milk and milk product category by FSSAI.
The animal husbandry departments of Gujarat and Rajasthan and the Bikaner based National Research Centre on Camel (NRCC) have approached FSSAI to formalise standards soon. GCMMF is also working on standardised scientific tests for camel milk which is currently only available for cow buffalo, goat and sheep milk. GCMMF will also apply for license for marketing the milk.
It may not be everybody’s cup of tea to switch to camel milk but recent research has brought out qualities in camel milk that can benefit those with lifestyle diseases. First to begin with it has about 2% fat as compared to 3.5 % derived from cow’s milk. It benefits those with type I and Type II diabetes because camel milk can imitate insulin. It is also infused with a natural antibiotic called lac-toferrin that helps with immunity. Camel’s milk has triple the amount of vitamin C than cow’s milk. Hence camel’s milk is being considered a healthier choice.
FSSAI has not yet formalised the standards for camel milk but they are likely to be formulated within a period of four to five months. GCMMF is keen to begin production as soon as possible. GCMMF officials say that camel’s milk might take some time to become popular as it has a salty flavour. Since it will be a niche product and also because no other organised dairy in India is processing it at the moment the approval is taking some time. However, in the Arabic countries and West Asia camel milk is routinely consumed and is considered the closet to human mother’s milk.
Rajasthan Cooperative Dairy Federation (RCDF) had ground-tested camel milk production under the Saras brand a few years earlier but had to stop production as it was not viable due to low quantity and low shelf life. However, Amul is confident that processing the milk would increase the shelf life. Also advertising will probably target those with health issues and it could become popular with health conscious city dwellers. Also those suffering from certain chronic and lifestyle diseases like high blood pressure, tuberculosis, gastronomical problems and certain cancers like that of the colon could find it beneficial.
Sahjeevan, a local NGO that works with camel breeders in Kutch has been approached for encouraging the breeders to supply milk which will be collected at the local centers, cooled and then transported in bulk to the production center. The NGO is also trying to raise awareness about the potential in camel milk.
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