More benefits, less milk in DK is cause for concern

At a time when Karnataka has created a record in milk production by surpassing the production over 52 lakh litre, Dakshina Kannada district is facing shortage of one lakh litre milk, said Dakshina Kannada Milk Union Limited President Raviraj Hegde.

Speaking at World Milk Day programme organised at Dakshina Kannada Cooperative Milk Producers Union here on Friday, he said the farmers are paid highest amount for providing milk to the parlour in Dakshina Kannada.  “The farmers are given highest financial assistance in Dakshina Kannada. However, the milk production is not satisfactory,” he rued. 

The Union collects milk from the farmers and processes it at Manipal and Mangalore dairy and then supplies to the consumers. We also print the shelf life of the milk and milk products in its packets. With dairy farming, about 40,000 families are earning additional income along with farming in undivided Dakshina Kannada district. 

In 2011-12, the milk producers in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts were given Rs 164.98 crore. 

As many as 7,725 have been employed in dairy farming. Union former president and Director K Seetharam Rai said there is a need to strive to increase milk production in the district. Prizes were distributed to the winners of gold and silver coins in Mysore pak/Peda on the occasion. A booklet on Nandini products were also released. 

The best dealers of 2010-11 were also felicitated on the occasion. On account of World Milk Day, milk and milk products were given to destitutes, poor and college students. Milk Federation Director Mukund Nayak was present. 

3 reasons

Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry K V Halagappa said that there are three reasons for decline in milk production in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. Shortage of labourers, geography of the region and shortage of fodder results in reduction in the producton of milk. 

“If a veterninary college is started in Koila, then the farmers may show interest in dairy farming,” he added.