September 30: Milk consumption in Nepal is only 75 litres per person per year against the recommended 92 litres, statistics shows.    
In this context, Nepal Dairy Association (NDA) has concluded that the stakeholders should work towards ensuring milk consumption of 92 litres per person per year at least for the children in the coming days.    
The need for meeting the recommended milk consumption has been highlighted on the occasion of the World School Milk Day. The first World School Milk Day was celebrated in September 2000 and has since become an annual event promoted by the FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations). The celebration of the Day in Nepal was first started by Nepal Dairy Association in 2016.    
General Secretary of NDA Prahlad Dahal said they are celebrating the World School Milk Day by organizing various programmes in all provinces, districts and local levels this year.    
The purpose of celebrating the Day is to reinforce the nutritional value of milk. Milk is taken as complete food.    
Milk and dairy products continue to play a vital role in children’s diets. A carton of school milk provides a 4-6 year old with 52 percent of their recommended calcium intake; 59 percent of their recommended iodine intake; 100 percent of their recommended vitamin B12 intake; 59 percent of their recommended vitamin B2 intake.    
Similarly, for older children aged 7-10 years, a carton of milk provides: 42 percent their recommended calcium intake; 53 percent of their recommended iodine intake; 100 percent of their recommended vitamin B12 intake; 47 percent of their recommended vitamin B2 intake.    
Milk also provides energy and protein for their growth and development.    
World School Milk Day is celebrated in many countries, with an increasing number of activities taking place each year. -- RSS