Success story of a milk co-op society in border area

Kolar district, which was once famous as land of gold and silk, is today famous for milk production in the State.

However in recent times, unhealthy competition from private dairies from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu has become a matter of concern.

The continuing strength of Kolar-Chikkaballapura District Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union Ltd., (KOMUL) is because of the support of milk producers’. Komul is Karnataka’s 2nd highest Milk Producing District organisation.

Milk producers have given importance to co-operatives and have not been lured by private dairies in the border area. The Sanganahalli Milk Producers’ Co-operative Society near KGF deserved a special mention.

Self help

The villagers of Sanganahalli and the surrounding villages, located in the border of Andhra Pradesh, have built their own co-operative society, developed it and even earned accolades.

The Sanganahalli dairy had 600 members of which 150 members supply milk every day. Dairy farmers of Sanganahalli, Yethur, Gaddur, Shettigunta, Doddagandlahalli, B Kothur, Kasireddy Gandlahalli and Maravur supply milk to Sanganahalli Dairy every morning and evening.

The dairy which is equipped with all modern dairy equipment, won an award last year for producing the most milk. The dairy was established in 1989 by M G Rajan, who had a long-term vision.

In spite of hurdles

Accordingly, the dairy kept on growing. “The water situation has not improved in the surrounding region. There is shortage of pasture for grazing. The cost of animal feed and hay is high. Despite all these hurdles the farmers have adopted dairy farming as a secondary occupation and earning their livelihood”, says Ramakrishnappa, a senior citizen.

“There is no politics in this dairy co-operative. The farmers are very co-operative. Despite the offer of higher price for their milk by private dairies from Andhra Pradesh, the farmers prefer to sell it to the co-operative dairy resulting in higher production of milk”, says Ramesh, the secretary of the dairy.

“At present the dairy has a share capital of Rs 10 lakh. Last year the dairy made a profit of Rs 2 lakh. During Deepavali, shareholders are given a bonus. The Co-operative has supported civic amenity works in the surrounding areas. To increase the milk yield, cows of German breed are provided. All this has led to the growth of the co-operative”, says Lakshmi Venkatachalapathi, President of the Co-operative
Society.

The Sanganahalli Milk Producers’ Co-operative Society demonstrates that a co-operative society has the potential to achieve any objective.