Kerala - Kochi   

Milk self-sufficiency in two years: Minister

KOCHI: Minister for Dairy Development C. Divakaran said here that he was convinced that Kerala would attain self-sufficiency in milk production by 2010.

Three major schemes being implemented by the Left Democratic Front Government would help achieve this goal, the Minister said inaugurating the annual meeting of All-Kerala Milma Officers’ Federation here on Sunday.

The ‘Pasu Gramam’ scheme, involving an expenditure of Rs. 3 crore, ‘Vidarbha’ scheme costing Rs. 12 crore and ‘Milk Shed’ scheme involving an expenditure of Rs. 6 crore are being implemented by the government with the aim of achieving self-sufficiency in milk production.These investments have come over the last two years, the Minister said.

He said the working of the various institutions involved in looking after the dairy sector in the State is being overhauled to improve efficiency. The working of the Dairy Department, Animal Husbandry Department and Kerala Livestock Development Board would be streamlined to make them more effective.

He said the milk cooperative Milma was answerable to the people and all the dairy development officers owed it to the people.

He said that during the time of the crisis in milk supply in the State early this year, Milma should have come forward with answers to the criticisms that were raised.

The Minister said the government was often in a dilemma regarding increasing the price of milk. He said the milk cooperative was pressing for another price hike.

Mr. Divakaran, who visited France recently to attend an international dairy industry exhibition, said that a team of dairy experts from France was expected to visit the State soon. The Minister also pointed to the dominance of the private sector in cattle feed production and its spiralling price.

P. Raju, former MLA and president of Ernakulam Region Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union, welcomed the gathering.

Member of Parliament and State secretary of All Kerala Milma Officers’ Federation, Pannyan Ravindran, presided over the meeting.

Sanjeeb Patjoshi, managing director of Kerala Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation and P.T. Gopalakurup, chairman of the federation, were among those who spoke on the occasion.

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