KOCHI: The state which has almost achieved the goal of self sufficiency in milk production very recently, has been hit by the scorching summer leading to a sharp decline in supply. According to statistics by the Kerala Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (Milma), the state's biggest milk supplier, there is significant decrease in milk procurement at its various unions in the state.
“Compared to the corresponding period last year, milk production has been registering a decrease of one lakh litres per day. Last year, the daily procurement was 10 lakh litres while it is only nine lakh litres now” said P.T. Gopala Kurup, chairman, Milma.
Due to the more than 20 per cent decline in domestic production, Milma is now buying more milk from other states. Nearly three lakh litres of milk is being procured from other states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Though other states have also been hit by the summer, they still have surplus production.
“The state has achieved more than 80 per cent of self sufficiency in milk production and in the next couple of years we can achieve the goal of 100 per cent,” added the Milma chairman.
Meanwhile, Milma has taken measures to support the dairy farmers whose cattle died in the grueling summer. “Milma unions are already giving an incentive to farmers apart from providing cattle feed through milk societies.” Since most of the cattle population in the state has insurance coverage, animal deaths will not be a big burden on farmers, it has been observed.
