Women in Kodlipet milk the benefits of dairy farming

Women from the rural areas of Kodlipet hobli near Shanivarasanthe, have achieved self reliance through dairy farming and have also produced significant quantity of milk.

The Nandipura Milk Producers Women's Cooperative Society was established in 2008 by a couple of women in Kodlipet, with an intention to attain self reliance through farming activities in the rural areas.

Presently, Pramila Ravishankar, Chinnamma and Girija Girish are serving as president, vice president and secretary of the association, respectively. While Nirmala, Yashoda, Umavathi, Kavitha, Shashikala, Manjula and Jayamma are working as directors.

248 members
There are totally 248 members in the society who are engaged in dairy farming. Out of these, 75 members are from Kyathe, Neegunda, Chikkakundha and Kelakodli villages who regularly supply milk.

The milk is tested for its purity and everyday as much as 450 litres of milk is supplied to Kodige dairy.

Thirty HF cows have been provided to members, under Amritha scheme.
The association provides Rs 24 per litre to the members while Rs 4 is be provided by the Government as the subsidy.

Nandini self help group was established after Rs 75,000 subsidy from Karnataka Milk Federation. Interest free loans of Rs 5,000 is provided to 15 members.

When a member repays the loan, another member is be provided the loan. The members pay Rs 500 evey month towards the repayment.

The members said that the income that they earned from the dairy farming had made them self reliant and also helped them save some money after managing the household expenses.

The members also run Stree Shakthi and other self help groups.

25 dairies in Kodagu
“Kodagu district has 25 dairies. The district needs a separate milk union and a better price is to be ensured. Also, the time of the delivery of milk to the dairies needs to be revised,” said one of the Directors Nirmala.

Amidst comments that the dairy farming practices are dwindling in Kodagu, the Nandipura Milk Producers Union has carved a niche for itself, by being a role model to others.