Sources of Milk in India

Milk is very closely associated with growth and sustenance. At Haribol, our humble attempt has always been to bridge the nutrition gap among children of different sections and regions in India. We firmly believe that a healthy nation can achieve any challenge that it sets for itself. Annamrita Foundation, has been successfully running a large-scale operation pan India, with a mission to liberate underprivileged children from the vicious cycle of poverty and illiteracy by serving them wholesome nutritious mid-day meals. The organization has been serving 1.2 million meals everyday through its 21 kitchens across India among their network of 6500 schools. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Foundation launched ‘Operation Karuna’ to fight the scourge of hunger among the most vulnerable sections of society - migrant workers, daily wage earners, slum dwellers and the poor living on streets across the nation. Till date, it has served 45 Million meals and dry rations since the lockdown in India.

‘Charity begins at home’ - Sir Thomas Browne. In keeping with our vision to support a healthier India, Haribol also contributes towards a hunger-free Palghar district, home to Govardhan Eco Village. Govardhan Annakshetra is an initiative by GEV located in Palghar district on the outskirts of Mumbai. Tribals and farmers make up a majority of the population in Palghar. They mainly produce ragi and wheat, but the hilly terrain and recurrent droughts have kept productivity and incomes low. Between 2016 and 2018, more than 1,100 malnourished children in Palghar died. According to a recent study published in the journal PLOS One, three of every five tribal children in the district are stunted, and more than half of them are underweight.

Govardhan Annakshetra was started with a mission to make Palghar hunger-free. As part of this initiative, it operates a huge kitchen that serves free full meals to all tribal communities around the Eco Village and in the villages around it, without any discrimination.

One of the most critical aspects for a successful co-operative movement is its spread on the grassroots level. However, in areas already crunched with resources, such a spread may be easy to start but extremely difficult to propagate without economic sustainability. Which is why, Haribol provides its farm folk with best-in-market returns on their milk supplies. In addition, through a system of ‘guaranteed purchase’, Haribol ensures a continuous purchase cycle for the farmers thereby ensuring all-year economic stability. Through such arrangements, Haribol has ensured that the A2 co-operative movement takes deep roots in rural communities.

Haribol and Govardhan Eco Village have been at the forefront of rural healthcare for the last 10 years, having received accolades and appreciation from the Government of India as well international organizations, such as the United Nations. Many of India’s rich traditions are still strong and alive in its rural parts. One of these traditions is of farmers treating their cattle, especially cows and bulls, as family members. At Haribol we extend this legacy by treating all our farmers as family, creating a larger well-knit community. As humble members of this large family and with our experience in rural healthcare, Haribol organizes regular health camps for its farmers and is in the process of setting up remote healthcare stations in collaboration with leading Hospitals. But our support does not end with farmers but continues further to our cows. Haribol organizes regular lab tests and health check-ups of all our cows, calves and protected bulls.

Haribol was started as a humble attempt to demonstrate the viability of a sustainable circular economy with the Desi Cow (Bos Indicus) in the centre. Any behavioural change is difficult to impart, especially so in a rural setup due to slower rates of adaptation. With this knowledge and our experience at GEV, Haribol has been able to educate our farmers about the benefits of this model. One of the primary reasons of imparting this knowledge is to enunciate the importance of the bull in farming and allied activities, which results in reducing the carbon footprint in these regions while promoting a largely organic and chemical-free produce. This in return also supplements our farmers’ incomes due to the higher returns per crop unit as well as improved long-term land fertility.

GEV has academically researched, scientifically experimented, and successfully implemented a symbiosis of scientific results from both Vedic and modern techniques. Our aim is to develop farm communities as they present a sustainable way of living which is socially, physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and environmentally friendly. Find out more www.ecovillage.org.in

Smallest of the types of cattle in India, this breed originated from Jersey Island, in the U.K. Its colour is typically reddish fawn and produces 4,500 kg of milk per lactation which contains 80 to 85% A1 protein. Widely used in crossbreeding, this breed has a dished forehead; and a compact and angular body.

This is the largest dairy breed and possesses large udder and has black and white markings. Its average production is 6000 to 7000 kg per lactation which contains 95 - 100% A1 protein. This breed was developed in the northern parts of the Netherlands, especially in the province of Friesland.

Most of the indigenous breeds of buffalo yield an average of 1400 kg of milk per lactation which contains 60% A1 protein. Typically, these have curved horns and are jet black in colour. The butter fat content in the milk that the buffaloes produce is around 7% and they are one of the most efficient milk and butter fat producers in India.

These breeds yield an average of 2000 kg of milk per lactation which contains 100% of A2 protein. These cows need less feeding and the cost of maintenance for Desi cow breeds is relatively lesser. HariBol milk is sourced from pure breeds of Desi cows.