KOCHI: The Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU) will implement Milkobike, a unique skill development programme to prepare youngsters as milking technicians to plug the shortage of milkers in the state with the support of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
As part of it, Kerala Gramin Bank will arrange loans from its 600 branches across the state for those interested in buying bikes to do the job. The India Dairy Machinery Company of NDDB will provide the milking machine while KVASU will offer training.
“The youths who currently keep away from the job, considered blue-collar, will get a push with the ‘milk technician’ title. They will be able to earn '20,000 per month by sparing some hours in the morning and evening together and by covering 25 houses,” said Dr T. P. Sethumadhavan, director of entrepreneurship
of KVASU.
The milking machine can be connected to the battery of the bike and the power generated from it will be used for milking by the milk technician after attaching the device to the udder of the cow.
“Ninety-six percent of cattle in Kerala is cross-breed which generate much more milk than the ordinary cows and hence machine supported milking process is essential here," he said.
