Kozhikode: To meet the increased seasonal demand for Milk and milk products, the state has procured more than 80 lakh litres of milk from other states during the Onam season.
The Kerala Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Limited (MILMA), the cooperative milk marketing giant, has made all arrangements to ensure that there will not be any shortage of milk and milk products for Keralites during Onam. Apart from sufficient milk supply, a host of other value-added milk products are ready in the market for Onam this year.
MILMA chairman PT Gopalakurup told DC that about 80 lakh litres of milk had been sourced from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, and also from other states, this year. He admitted that there was a slight dip in milk procurement due to increased local demand during Onam season starting from Chingam .
“During Onam we use lot of milk in various payasams like palada pradhaman , the major constituent of which is milk”, he added.
MILMA has entered into a contract with the Karnataka Milk Federation and Tamil Nadu Milk Producers’ Federation Limited to provide sufficient milk during festival days. Last year, MILMA sold more than 25 lakh litres of milk on Thiruvonam day alone.
Mr Gopalakurup added that this year the focus was marketing of value-added products to cater to the varied tastes of Keralites.
Another product launched this year is an Onam special bunch offer called ‘Bundle of Rejoice’, a box which includes delicious products made of milk like Chakka (jackfruit) milky jam, milk peda, palada payasam mix and gulab jam. Wayanad dairy in Kalpetta alone has advance orders for 6,000 kits, according to MILMA officials.
“This year we ensured that our customers get tasty milk products at a reasonable price”, said a MILMA official.
