BENGALURU: To improve nutritional content of cow’s milk and to help dairy farmers get better milk rates across India, the Bengaluru-based National Institute of Animal Nutrition (NIANP) is working on increasing fat content in milk. The institute has already started a study on the quality and quantity of cow milk’s fat and Solid Non-Fat (SNF), which comprises lactose, protein, minerals and carbohydrates.
At the state level, NIANP has partnered with the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), and trials are being conducted with Kolar and Chikkaballapur milk unions – two of the five unions supplying milk to Bengaluru. Others involved are Mandya, Tumakuru and Bengaluru milk unions, besides Mother Dairy.
Dr Artabandhu Sahoo, Director, NIANP, told the TNIE that ideally, 100 ml of milk should comprise 13% of total solids – 4% milk fat and remaining SNF. If there is more fat in the milk, farmers get a higher price. If the milk fat is 3.8% per 100ml, a farmer gets Rs 32 per litre, and if it is 6.8%, he gets Rs 38 per litre.
The higher milk fat content is also beneficial for humans as it addresses nutritional requirements, helps maintain nutritional balance and facilitates easier absorption and digestion of vitamins A, D, E and K.
Naturally, fat content is richer in buffalo and sheep milk compared to cow’s milk. To increase the fat content in cow’s milk, with and without additional supplements, trials are being conducted over the last three months. It will continue for a year in all weather conditions before being implemented across the state, said a KMF official, who is part of the study. In the trials with supplements, milk fat content, cattle fertility and lactation increased.
Sahoo explained that milk fat and SNF depend on an animal’s structure, agro-climate, nutritious fodder, geographic location, stress-free environment, season and weather. Rising temperatures affect milk quality, improving which is the focus of the ongoing study. The more the milk quantity, less is the natural nutritional content, and additional supplements need to be given to improve the quality.
A senior KMF official said that every day, 1.18 crore litres of milk is supplied to consumers in Karnataka. On an average, 4.2% milk fat and 8.5-8.51% SNF is maintained in milk. Toned milk has 3.5% fat and 8.5% SNF, Shubham milk
has 4.5% fat and 8.5% SNF, and full cream milk has 6% fat and 9% SNF. Under Ksheera Bhagya, the state government supplies 150ml of milk to children five days a week. That milk contains 4.2% of milk fat and 8.5% SNF.