Kottayam (Kerala), Union Minister George Kurien on Tuesday said synthetic milk is widely used in many parts of India and people need to be educated against it.

The Minister of State for Minority Affairs, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying said this while inaugurating a function organized at Kumarakam Krishi Vigyan Kendra regarding the distribution of the 17th installment of the Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi.

There is no production of synthetic milk in Kerala, but in other states, the use of synthetic milk in dairy products like cheese is widespread, the minister was quoted as saying in a release from the state PRD here.

The Union Minister said that officials have been directed to create awareness against the use of synthetic milk.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributed the 17th installment of Kisan Samman Nidhi in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

Kottayam was selected as one of the 50 districts in the country for farmers to participate in discussions with the Prime Minister.

Live streaming of the ceremony was held in the auditorium of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Agricultural University, Kumarakam.