KMF introduces Nandini buttermilk

Cooperative sector has strengthened farmers all over State, says MP Kateel

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said dairy farming and agriculture are in practice in the State because of Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF).

Speaking at the launch of Nandini buttermilk, the new product of KMF at the Dakshina Kannada Milk Union Limited (DKMUL) in Kulshekhar on Wednesday, he said KMF has effectively carried out the commercialisation of milk which has provided encouragement for diary farmers and agriculturists.

Complimenting DKMUL for giving better support price for diary farmers, he said the cooperative sector has strengthened the farmers in the State, especially in Dakshina Kannada district.

Production
The district has 750 cooperative societies. Among them, 350 are milk cooperative societies. At present, DKMUL procures 3,50,000 litres of milk while there is a requirement of 3,75,000 litres milk, he said and expressed confidence that DKMUL will meet the shortage of 25,000 litres of milk in the near future.

The cooperative movement in the district is a model in the State. Campco, District Cooperative Bank and the KMF are contributing to the same, he said. The MP lamented that the cattle rearing and diary farming have significantly decreased due to illegal cattle transportation and cow slaughtering.

As part of Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, diary farming will be encouraged at Balpa village. Accordingly, there are plans to ensure that each house has a cow. Gobar gas and electricity will be produced from cow dung and the slurry will be used for agriculture as manure, he said. The Union government is chalking out plans to set up storage units and warehouses to encourage diary farming in the country, he added. 

Manipal University former vice-chancellor Prof B M Hegde launched the Nandini buttermilk. He said the plain butter milk contains probiotics, the good bacteria.

SCDCC Bank Chairman M N Rajendra Kumar inaugurated a pasteuriser of 20,000 litre capacity worth Rs 50 lakh. Kateel inaugurated a homogeniser of 20,000 litre capacity worth Rs 70 lakh.

DKMUL President Raviraj Hegde and Managing Director B V Sathyanarayana were present on the occasion.