Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Dec 11: In the beginning of 2022, 92 lac litres of milk was produced in the state. Now it is reduced to just 77 lac litres causing a shortfall of 17%. Heavy rains and floods are the reasons for this shortage.

In the month of November 2021, 78 lac litre milk was collected, out of which, 38 lac litre was sold as milk and the rest was converted into curd, cottage cheese, ghee, ice cream, buttermilk, flavoured milk and sweets.

In 2022, on an average 77 lac litre of milk is collected and 44.5 lac litres is sold as milk. Compared to last year, one lac litre shortfall is experienced every month, whereas the demand has shot up by 6.5 lac litres. More than nine lac milk producers in the state are contributing for the milk collection.

The excess milk is stored after converting it into milk powder. In 2021, 22 lac litres of milk was converted into powder every day. In 2022 this will be reduced to 12 lac litres per day.

Due to heavy rains this year, fodder and hay that was meant for cattle was washed away in floods. Dry grass got decomposed. Raw materials are brought from outstation states, the cost of which has increased steeply. This has also caused an effect on milk supply.

The demand for milk has doubled in main cities of the state as tourism is in full swing after Covid restrictions.

It is also said that many people who were employed in cities got back to villages due to Covid restrictions and this resulted in the supply of more milk as they got involved in dairy farming. After the Covid restrictions are removed the youth of rural areas have returned back to cities. This also is the reason for the shortfall in milk production.