Milk-and-Dairy-Products-in-Human-Nutrition-FAO

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Milk and dairy products in human nutrition
7.3.3 Summary
This section covered the findings from five previous reviews – two on agriculture
and nutrition (Berti, Krasevec and FitzGerald, 2004; World Bank, 2007) and three
focused on livestock development and nutrition (Tangka, Jabbar and Shapiro, 2000;
Leroy and Frongillo, 2007; Randolph et al., 2007) – and six additional studies examining
more specifically milk and dairy programmes affecting nutrition.
The first programming strategy emerging from these studies relates to gender.
Women were shown to be primarily responsible for dairying in East Africa in particular,
and, when targeted, use income earned for schooling and food for children
(Mullins and Wahome, 1996; Tangka, Ouma and Staal, 1999). The introduction of
improved breeds of cows and goats was associated with increased milk production
and in some cases increased consumption (Alderman, 1987; Ayalew, Gebriel
and Kassa, 1999; Ahmed, Jabbar and Ehui, 2000; Ayele and Peacock, 2003). One
potential challenge with this type of programming, however, is the considerable
investments required upfront for raising large animals, i.e. dairy cows, especially in
terms of infrastructure (animal health services) and other inputs (especially feed).
This may result in selection bias towards households having a better economic (and
likely nutritional) status. Programme inputs to offset these costs for poor households
may therefore also be needed.
Programmes that established market linkages were associated with increased
income and milk consumption (Tangka, Ouma and Staal, 1999; Cunningham, 2009).
The formation of cooperatives facilitated the market connections for smallholder
dairy farmers (Cunningham, 2009). Finally, studies and evaluations have shown
the importance of awareness and understanding of the nutritional value of milk for
vulnerable groups. While some communities (e.g. pastoralist communities) already
have an appreciation of the nutritional value of milk (Sadler and Catley, 2009), in
other contexts nutrition education, including behaviour-change communication,
will need to be included in programming in order to raise awareness of the nutritional
value of milk (Iannotti, Cunningham and Ruel, 2009).
7.4 School-based milk programmes
School-based milk programmes are common in many countries around the world.
Support for these programmes is often built on the assumption and public perception
that milk is a nutritionally advantageous food for children. There is still a
need to evaluate the nutritional outcomes of such school-based interventions more
systematically and for more effective targeting to specific groups of children. Studies
at the beginning of the twentieth century in Scotland were among the first to show
that milk delivered to school-aged children increased height (Orr, 1928). Later
studies showed that the greatest height increase was realized if milk were targeted
to undernourished children (Hoppe, Mølgaard and Michaelsen, 2006). Additional
information is provided in Section 4.3 of Chapter 4.
On the last Wednesday in September, countries around the world celebrate
World School Milk Day. The event, started in 2000, is now held in over 30 countries,
bringing attention to school-based milk programmes and promoting milk among
the students (FAO, 2011). In many countries, high-level dignitaries are present at
School Milk Day events and speak in support of school milk. Contests are often
held among the students, and most countries involve the media to promote pro-