Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Aug 14: “Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) is storing 4,30,000 liters of milk. It is getting more than Rs 13 price per liter. We are also exporting milk and its products. There is tough competition in the external market. KMF is not considering producing of milk in Dakshina Kannada, while fixing the market rate. There is a dual policy in Amul in Gujarat,” said Raviraj Hegde, president of Dakshina Kannada Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union Limited (DKMUL).

Raviraj was speaking at the consultation meeting of Udupi taluk presidents and secretaries of milk producing cooperatives union organized by Dakshina Kannada Milk Producing federation, which was held at Arur Lakshminarayan Rao memorial town hall Ajjarkad here on Tuesday, August 13.

Raviraj Hegde further said, “The surplus price will be given to farmers in the form of subsidy to encourage animal husbandry and horticulture. Once in six months, profit will be given to farmers as incentive. The actual minimum price on milk per liter is Rs 28.67. The average price on its quality is Rs 30. The government is providing a grant Rs five. Thus it is giving Rs 25 per liter.”

“We are thinking of fixing minimum price and the surplus profit will be given to horticulture, so that we will get competition and wide market. Earlier 33 lac of milk powder was produced first time and 66 lac of milk powder was produced in second time. But last year the quantity was very less due to various reasons. Thus the federation is incurring extra nine to ten rupees per liter. The government is providing 20 paise for every person, which is used for the members and office bearers of the federation. A portion of profit is used for the farmers to encourage horticulture.

“5.03 liters is increased in milk storage and market. But we are not able to achieve market as expected. The total business for the year was Rs 825 crore. We are pressurizing the government to release grant under Chief Minister’s relief fund to farmers welfare trust, who have lost their cattle in natural disaster and also for the medical expenses of the cattle.

“There are more than 722 functioning DCSs covering Mangaluru and Udupi districts. There is a provision to make insurance for 20,000 cattle under farmers’ welfare trust. But only 5,000 are included under the scheme so far. Let people make use of this benefit.”

Raviraj also urged to make use of Nandini products.

Kaup Diwakar Shetty, director, Karnataka Milk Federation Bengaluru, Prakashchandra, vice-president, DKMUL, others directors Smitha Shetty, Sudhakar Shetty and Nithyananda Bhakta, manager were present.

Narasimha Karanth, director, welcomed the gathering.