Govt steps in to fix what’s gone sour in dairy sector

April 9, 2026 (MLN):  The government has warned that Pakistan’s dairy sector faces serious challenges, including poor milk quality and widespread malnutrition, with nearly 40% of children suffering from stunting.

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain said that despite high milk consumption around 0.63 liters per person per day, a large portion of milk available in the market does not meet safety standards, posing risks to public health, according to press release issued.

He stressed that improving milk quality, strengthening regulation, and modernizing the sector are essential to enhance nutrition, support rural livelihoods, and drive economic growth.

The remarks were made during a high-level meeting chaired by Rana Tanveer Hussain with a delegation of the Pakistan Dairy Association to review the state of the dairy sector and discuss measures for improvement.

The minister emphasized the need to formalize milk production, adopt modern dairy practices, and strengthen the value chain through improved infrastructure such as cold storage and processing facilities.

He also highlighted initiatives like Safe Milk City and called for a supportive policy framework, including rationalized taxation, to encourage investment and ensure the availability of safe and affordable milk.

The delegation presented proposals to improve efficiency and regulatory systems, while the minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with stakeholders for sectoral development.

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