Nandini outlets to sell edible oil

Strengthening the farmers’ co-operative movement across Karnataka by setting up milk unions, the state government has gone a step ahead to ensure steady income for the farming communities particularly in dry areas.

Making use of the milk retailing units under the brand ‘Nandini’, the government has announced to sell edible oil sourced directly from small and marginal farmers.

The new initiative, said to be an alternative to major oil producing companies, will encourage farmers to set up small automated oil units in their farm for production of pure edible oil. “Groundnut and sun flower are important oil seed crops of Karnataka. Farmers will be encouraged to set up automated oil mills. The edible oil produced by farmers will be marketed through Nandini and e-marketing schemes at a cost of Rs 5 crore.”

Farmer leaders have hailed the decision as it would strengthen the farmers economically and help people get pure oil free from any chemicals. “Rather than selling oil seeds at lower rates, farmers can collectively install a mill and come out with their own brand of edible oil which would be organic and free from chemicals. This would add to their income,” opined Kodihalli Chandrashekhar of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha.