Kochi: The dairy development department has announced project worth '22 crore for revival of the devastated diary sector in the state. The project will be implemented in the 50 flood affected block panchayat areas.
As part of the project, financial assistance of Rs 33, 000 will be provided to purchase cattle. Funds will be provided to 1200 farmers to purchase one cow while assistance will be given to 900 farmers to buy two cows.
Assistance will also be given to reconstruct damaged cow sheds for which there is a subsidy of Rs 1 lakh. The project will be implemented through the block level offices of dairy development department.
Floods have badly affected the state’s efforts to achieve self sufficiency in milk production by the year end.
MILMA to provide Rs 10,000 to farmers
Kerala Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (MILMA) will provide Rs 10,000 to its flood hit members in various societies to purchase cows.
As part of the financial package, farmers will get Rs 10,000 for loss of cow, Rs 5000 for loss of calf and Rs 7500 for damage of cow shed. However, the maximum amount a farmer can get is '33,000 to purchase cows, even if the loss is higher. MILMA has earmarked Rs 1.1 crore for the project.
“After visiting the affected areas, MILMA has prepared a list of beneficiaries which will be approved by the director board during a meeting scheduled for October 17. Once, the list is cleared, the amount will be transferred to the bank accounts of farmers,” said Balan master, chairman of Ernakulam region of MILMA.
More than 1000 farmers in the four badly affected districts like Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kottayam and Idukki will get the benefit. In Ernakulam region, comprising of the four districts, nearly 650 cows and 450 calves were lost. A total of 650 cow sheds were completely damaged.
Meanwhile, the Ernakulam region of MILMA has submitted a comprehensive revival proposal worth '15 crore to the Union government and is awaiting a favourable response.
