January 23, 2013

The world's largest milk producer, India, was sought for help by the Sultanate of Oman to develop dairy industry in the Gulf.

A four-member delegation from Sultanate of Oman recently visited the headquarters of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in milk city - Anand to seek the national dairy board's assistance for the same. It was for the first time that a delegation from Oman visited NDDB.

The delegation led by Ali Mohammad Salim Al Kalbani, advisor of the livestock in the office of secretary to the ministry of agriculture from Sultanate of Oman, and Khalifa Salim Mohammed Al Kiyumi, advisor of the agriculture research in the office of secretary to the agriculture, visited NDDB between January 16 and January 19.

"The delegation was particularly interested to understand producer institutions, which NDDB is promoting, and to assess their relevance to Oman as the government is anxious to support farmers with cattle in remote parts of their country who do not have access to a market," a NDDB release said this on Monday (Jan 14).

"The delegation was also briefed about NDDB's training modules focusing on capacity building of professionals, board of directors and milk producers. They were also explained about the research and development undertaken by NDDB in the areas of animal breeding, animal nutrition and animal health," the release further mentioned.

As it took keen interest in NDDB's fodder demonstration unit, methane laboratory and other pilot plant for urea molasses block production, mineral mixture and bypass protein, the delegation also visited NDDB managed Sabarmati Ashram Gaushala at Bidaj, which is the largest state of the art semen station in the country.

This apart, the members visited a dairy plant and IDMC, a subsidiary of NDDB involved in manufacture of dairy machineries. While visiting Centre for Analysis in Livestock and Feed (CALF), they were impressed by CALF's analytical services in food and feed.