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The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) has seen 16.12 per cent higher milk procurement at 36 lakh litres in lean season (March, April and May).
Experts say the higher production/ procurement during the lean period is because of good pre-monsoon showers in parts of Karnataka and additional Rs 2 a litre incentive to farmers offered by the State Government.
Normally, decline in milk production starts from January. But from March to May, the production drops drastically. But this year, rains at regular intervals, saw availability of green fodder facilitating higher output.
Anticipating the decline in production, the State Government early this year announced incentive to farmers to enable them to meet the fodder and high labour cost during summer.
“These two factors has led to higher milk production/procurement in the State. In the last three months (March - May), we have been procuring 35-36 lakh litres a day against 31 lakh witnessed last year,” the KMF Managing Director, Mr A.S. Premnath, told Business Line .
“Through this higher production and procurement, we made sure there was no shortfall in the supply of milk in the State this year. Last year, we faced hardship due to low procurement,” he added.
KMF has over two million milk producers in over 10,500 Dairy Co-operative Societies at village level, functioning under 13 District Cooperative Milk Unions in Karnataka State. This lean season, KMF was able to aggressively procure milk from farmers in semi-urban centres who normally sell milk to private suppliers. For marketing the additional milk procured, KMF has found ready buyers.
KMF, a few months ago, had completely stopped the supply of milk to other States. But Mr Premnath said “The demand for milk and other dairy products from other States are increasing.”
“Kerala has sought 3.5 to 4 lakh litres a day and Mother Dairy, Delhi, has sought 1 to 1.5 lakh litres a day to tide over the dry season. We are working on their request and will be able to supply it shortly,” he added.
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