Expert urges Gujarat to launch Organic White Revolution

- In view of the huge demand for organic milk in the global and Indian markets, ECOCERT is organizing a national convention on organic milk and milk products in Ahmedabad on November 14, 2009.

Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India - November 9, 2009 - Dr Selvam Daniel, Managing Director, ECOCERT India, the trusted global name in certification of organic food, cosmetics and textiles, today said that India should launch another White Revolution with the focus shifting to organic milk production. Gujarat could play a key role in this regard.

ECOCERT is organizing a national convention on organic milk and milk products at The Gateway Hotel Ummed Ahmedabad on November 14, 2009. Several eminent organic dairy and food experts will speak on the opportunities and challenges facing the India dairy industry at the convention.

"Only organic milk will address concerns of Indian citizens regarding the quality of milk they have been consuming," said Dr Daniel. "Global consumption of organic milk has been increasing 20% annually in view of its well-documented health benefits. In contrast, the overall milk consumption has been falling by 10% annually (693 million tonnes in 2008)."

Wal-Mart is the biggest seller of certified organic milk, followed by USA's Horizon Organic and France's Groupe Danone. In fact, the European Union nations as well as Norway, Switzerland, New Zealand, Japan and Canada all have banned the use and imports of hormonal milk and dairy products considering the cancer-causing ingredients in conventional milk.

Dr Daniel said only organic milk could help India tap global opportunities in the dairy sector. "India exports little milk though it is the largest global producer of milk (125 million tons of milk annually). This is primarily because of quality issues."

"In view of the consumer's increasing concerns about milk adulteration, there is a huge demand for organic milk in India," said Dr Daniel. "According to a study done by International Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture and reputed marketing research and agribusiness consultancy genus a.b., milk is among top 10 organic foods categories in demand in India."

The market potential for milk and milk products in India was estimated at Rs 170 crore - about one-fifth of the Rs 2300 crore organic food production.

Danish scientists have said that organic milk contains more vitamin E and beta carotene. British research bodies have confirmed the presence of higher levels of Omega 3 fatty acids in organic milk.

Source : Equity Bulls

Keywords