Pics: Spoorthy Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network- Mangalore
Mangalore, Feb 21: “Dakshina Kannada Milk Producers Union (DKMUL) has 1,12,000 members, out of which 51,000 are active and supply 2,60,000 liters milk daily through 652 co-operative societies in the undivided Dakshina Kannada (DK) district,” said DKMUL chairman and KMF director Raviraj Hegde, addressing media persons at a press meet held at DKMUL headquarters at Kulshekar on Thursday February 20.
“It has a daily requirement of 3,60,000 liters and the shortfall is met by sourcing from other milk producers’ unions. There has been 13 percent to 15 percent increase in daily requirement over the years and there are plans underway to achieve self-sufficiency in procurement from already established co-operative societies in a few years. Its social commitment has been striving to improve the living standards of thousands of dairy farmers," he added.
"The buying rate was hiked to Rs 25 per liter and added onto that is Rs 2 per liter as support price which makes it a net Rs 27. This was decided during the Board of Directors meeting held here on Wednesday February 19 and will come into effect from Friday February 21,” he said.
“A mega convention of milk producers’ unions will be held at Nice Grounds, opposite International Expo, Bangalore, on Saturday February 22. Over 3 lac dairy farmers from all over Karnataka are likely to attend the convention. The key objective of the convention will be to create awareness among dairy farmers on foot and mouth disease in livestock. CM Siddaramaiah will inaugurate the convention. The animal husbandry, law, and parliamentary affairs minister T B Jayachandra will distribute compensation cheques to the owners of cows that perished due to the breakout of foot and mouth disease, recently. About 1,500 dairy farmers from undivided DK district will attend the convention at the expense of DKMUL,” added Hegde.
He further spoke of the recent launch of ‘Nandini’ branded cashew burfi in 100 grams and 250 grams packs, where it has introduced scratch and win coupons in each pack. Over 3,500 consumers will have an opportunity to win gold/silver coins worth Rs 3.5 lac. The offer closes on Monday May 5.
DKMUL former chairman and director Savanoor Sitaram Rai, directors Monappa Shetty Yekkar, and Vijayalaxmi B Poojary were present on the occasion.