Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, May 24: Nandini brand ghee and butter is in short supply throughout the state. It is usual for milk production to come down during the summer months every year. However, there was no shortage to the extent of depriving the consumers of their demand for the other dairy products. This year during summer there is a severe shortage of Nandini ghee and butter.

Lumpy skin disease has affected most of the cattle this year throughout the state. Many cattle died while others are like living dead. In addition, there is no profitable price for milk. Many dairy farmers who spent lacs of rupees on treating lumpy skin disease are selling the cattle. This also has contributed to a reduction in the production of ghee and butter.

In the undivided district of Dakshina Kannada, there is a demand on an average for 5.10 lac litres of milk. But at present the production is only at 4.40 lac litres. Around four lac litres of milk is being sold. The shortage is balanced by buying milk from nearby milk federations. Milk is also used to  make curds, butter milk and other byproducts of milk. Around 50,000 to 70,000 litres of milk is used for curd and butter milk production. So ghee and butter is not produced as per demand.

During the last two months, the number of dairy farmers who were supplying milk to the federation has come down from 64,000 to 60,000. This has also contributed to the shortage of milk.

Sucharita Shetty, president of Dakshina Kannada cooperative milk federation says, “This year in summer, not only in Karnataka but in the whole country milk shortage is seen. There is a great demand for ghee and butter in Mangaluru federation limits. Once the monsoon season arrives, this shortage will reduce as the milk production will rise. After June 15, the issue is likely to be resolved. Now, the federation is losing Rs 1 crore per month as it buys milk from other federations at a higher price.”