Kerala's Dairy Sector Boosted by New International-Standard Testing Laboratory

The Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Minority Affairs, George Kurian, inaugurated the NDDB CALF Food Testing Laboratory in Kerala. This facility is a collaboration between the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and the Kerala Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (Milma), aimed at elevating the state's dairy sector to international standards.

The laboratory, established under the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) with financial support from the Central Government, is set to provide comprehensive testing services for milk and milk products. It will adhere to international quality benchmarks, ensuring rigorous analysis of microbiology, wet chemistry, and residue and contaminant levels.

NDDB Chairman Meenesh C. Shah highlighted the laboratory's role in strengthening India's food quality and safety ecosystem. The facility will also extend its services beyond the dairy sector to include testing of fruits, vegetables, spices, fish, and other foods in a phased manner.

In addition to testing, the centre will offer specialised training programmes for cooperative employees, industry professionals, and students, thereby enhancing technical expertise within the sector. The laboratory's services will be available to both cooperative and private sector players in Kerala, as well as neighboring states.

MP Hibi Eden emphasized the importance of integrating dairy farming into the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), suggesting that recent legislative changes could facilitate this inclusion. This initiative underscores the potential for Kerala to lead in the upcoming second White Revolution, as envisaged by the Prime Minister.