Milk Day

Dairy products are a vital source of protein and essential micronutrients. They form one of seven food groups identified by the World Health Organization as essential for the dietary diversity of infants and growing children.

Pregnant and lactating women, and infants in their first 1,000 days, have particularly high protein and nutritional requirements, which dairy can help provide. Dairy can set up lifelong benefits for even the poorest - a child who drinks milk daily can grow up to 3% more in a month!

Majority of milk in Africa and Asia continues to be produced in smallholder farms, providing an important source of income for millions of women and men. 

Intervention programs that promote increased milk production are particularly effective in poorer countries, allowing smallholder producers to consume part of what they produce without the need to slaughter or sell a large animal. 

ILRI works to increase access to milk, boost milk production, support local livelihoods and increase income for farmers.