Second phase of ‘Milk for School’ programme launched in Sirajganj
Heifer International Bangladesh and Heifer Korea, in collaboration with Grameen Danone, have launched the second phase of the Milk for School programme to improve child nutrition and education quality.
Implemented under the BD Beef and Goat Value Chain Signature Programme and executed by the National Development Programme (NDP), the initiative was inaugurated at Naimuri Government Primary School in Ullapara Upazila, Sirajganj.
The new phase includes seven additional government primary schools — Charbera, Goja, Angaru, Bhormohoni, Naimuri, Jogajibanpur, and Roapara — benefiting more than one thousand students.
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The event was chaired by Nurun Nahar, Country Director, Heifer International Bangladesh, while Abu Saleh Mohammad Hasnat, Upazila Nirbahi Officer, attended as Chief Guest. Among the special guests were Haewon Lee, Executive Director, Heifer Korea; Alauddin Khan, Executive Director, NDP; Dinesh Nag, Managing Director, Grameen Danone Foods Ltd; Md Harunur Rashid, District Primary Education Officer; and Md Sanoar Hossain, Upazila Education Officer. Headteachers, cooperative representatives, organisational officials, and local authorities were also present.
During the event, Suraiya Siddiqui, Director (Sales and Marketing), Grameen Danone Foods Ltd, shared insights into the nutritional value, production, and distribution process of Shokti Doi. She described how milk is collected from farmers, processed through cooperatives, and supplied to schools.
Centred on the theme 'Growing Strong in Mind and Body', the event featured a puppet show and quiz competition, with prizes awarded to participating students.
Speakers emphasised that the Milk for School initiative not only improves children's health and learning outcomes but also promotes local farmers' engagement in milk production, processing, and market linkage — supporting sustainable nutrition and rural economic development.
To institutionalise milk and Shokti Doi distribution, a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed among Grameen Danone Foods Ltd, Meghna Cooperative Society, and representatives of the seven selected schools.
It is worth mentioning that the first phase of the Milk for School programme began in September 2023 with three schools, later expanding to two more. With the addition of seven new schools, the initiative is now being implemented in twelve government primary schools in Ullapara Upazila.
