Department of Primary Industries | CSU Homepage

Research Higher Degree Students Quick finder:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Photo_Naveed_AslamMr. Naveed Aslam

PhD Student
School School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences 
Location Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga
Phone 02 6933 2959
Email naslam@csu.edu.au

Project

Development of quality control protocols for implementation of smallholder dairy farmers

Summary

The Concept: One of the key limitations to improving the income of small-holder dairy farmers in Pakistan relates to the quality of milk sold to milk vendors and dairy processors.  The poor quality of product is caused by high pathogen loads, the inclusion of mastitic milk, dust and dirt and then the use of additives designed to artificially boost the quality of milk. Nitrogen containing compounds, ice made from contaminated water and artificial whiteners are added to improve the appearance of the product.

The aim: To identify the procedures used on farm currently which contribute most to the deterioration of the quality of milk. Once these are identified the second phase of the project is to develop a simple protocol to be adopted by farmers to maximise the quality of the milk they are selling to the consumer.  This will include the management of the animals as well as the milking environment and the handling of the products prior to reaching the village milk storage unit.

The outcome:  The outcome will be a series of simple messages for farmers to abide by and  carefully check the quality of milk before being dispatched to the storage vat or directly to the consumer.  With time these protocols could evolve as a series of HACCP that will be enforced by industry inspectors.  In effect farmers will be responsible for testing their own milk. Thus simple tests for the estimate of cell counts and total solids  may need to be developed in the project for adoption and testing on farm.  This will lead to a national program to monitor milk quality.

Supervisors

Dr. Peter Wynn, Professor, SAVS, CSU

Funding source

CSU Faculty of Science Research Higher Degree Scholarship